The relationship between depression, anxiety, chronic pain and pain pressure threshold of the masseter muscle in healthy young subjects. A pilot study

Study aim: The correlation between pain and emotional status in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is established. Nevertheless, there is a lack of up-to-date findings based on objective assessment of pain using a digital algometer on the mastication muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the emotional status and the chronic pain pressure threshold (PPT).

Material and methods: Thirty-eight subjects were screened for the existence of temporomandibular disorders with the 3Q/TMD questionnaire for chronic pain (GCPS) and emotional status (PHQ-9 and GAD-7). The results were evaluated in comparison with the PPT measured with a digital algometer on the masseter muscles. Each subject was examined three times (at 1 and 7 months after the initial examination). Chronic pain scores (GCPS) were found to be higher in the TMD group in all three examination sessions (p < 0.05).

Results: Pain, depression and anxiety levels were higher in female subjects regardless of the existence of TMD, but only some differences were significant. A correlation between chronic orofacial pain scores and PPT was found in 2 out of 3 examination sessions.

Conclusion: The PPT scores for the masseter muscles did not correlate with the emotional state in the study group.