ABSTRACT
Purpose:
to investigate the presence of Temporomandibular Disorder, headache and neck pain and muscle pain threshold of cervical muscles in nursing professionals exposed to occupational stress.
Methods:
43 women were evaluated for the presence and severity of Temporomandibular Disorder using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder instrument and Temporomandibular Dysfunction Index, respectively. Furthermore, they were evaluated for the pain threshold to pressure on the cervical muscles by algometry and for the presence of headache and neck pain.
Results:
temporomandibular Disorder was found in sample 30.23% and 0.52 was the mean score of dysfunction severity. Of the participants with Temporomandibular Disorder, there presence of depression was found in 69.23%; 61.64% Grade I in Graded Chronic Pain and Specific Physical Symptoms including pain and excluding pain were 46.15% and 61.64%, respectively. Headache was reported by 55.81% and neck pain by 60.47%. There was no association between the presence of Temporomandibular Disorder, headache and neck pain. Pain pressure thresholds of cervical muscles were low in subjects with and without Temporomandibular Disorder, without statistical difference. The sternocleidomastoid muscle it´s the lowest value of pain pressure threshold.
Conclusion:
high incidence of Temporomandibular Disorder, headache and neck pain were detected in the studied sample. Temporomandibular Disorder was not associated with the presence of headache and / or neck pain. The high frequency of cervical pain and low pain pressure thresholds in the sternocleidomastoid muscle in all subjects demonstrate the involvement of the cervical spine and muscles in these professionals, resulting of possible improper postures and stress-related muscle tension.
Keywords:
Tempormandibular Joint Disorders; Pain Measurement; Depression; Psychological Stress
