11 Sensory and pain perception in patients with myofascial pain of the jaw muscles

「I. 目的」Out of a variety of measurement techniques of pain, e.g. subjective reporting, behavioral and physiologic responses, electromyographic recordings of jaw reflexes and functional brain imaging, quantitative sensory testing is relatively easy to use and psychophysical procedures will hopefully allow us, to better objectify pain and dysfunction. Recently, we reported that in symptom-free subjects, a clenching exercise which is considered a possible risk factor in the development of orofacial pain dose not result in extra modulation of tactile and pain thresholds in the face, what could be ascribed to habituation. It was striking that not only sensitivity to pain but also habituation of sensory perception were higher in women than men. Further exploration whether these effects are similar in patients suffering from myofascial pain of the jaw muscles might help to clarify the physiological reactions in patients developing pain and dysfunction.