Multidimensional approach to the differences between muscular and articular temporomandibular patients: coping, distress, and pain characteristics

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2006 Jul;102(1):40-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2005.02.067. Epub 2006 Mar 22.

Abstract

Objective: This study analyzes the differences in psychological variables and symptomatology between temporomandibular disorder diagnosis subgroups.

Study design: The sample included 114 temporomandibular disorder patients that were evaluated in coping, distress, and temporomandibular characteristics. Diagnostic muscular (n = 58) and articular (n = 56) subgroups were compared in these variables through a MANCOVA.

Results: Muscular patients show a higher level of general distress, specifically in the anxiety and somatization subscales and a more active coping style, with a tendency of a minor use of humor and a higher number of parafunctional habits, specifically, biting nails, hangnails, and lips.

Conclusion: We discuss the differences found in order to design the targets of the psychological intervention of temporomandibular patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Anxiety
  • Facial Pain / psychology
  • Female
  • Habits
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Pain Measurement
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / classification*
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / psychology*
  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / psychology