Risk of Headache, Temporomandibular Dysfunction, and Local Sensitization in Male Professional Boxers: A Case-Control Study

Abstract Objective To evaluate differences in the incidence of headache, trigeminal nerve mechanosensitivity, and temporomandibular functionality in professional male boxers (exposed to repetitive craniofacial trauma) who were actively training and without severe previous injuries compared with handball players. Design Case-control study. Setting University-based physical therapy research clinic. Participants Eighteen boxers (mean age, 23±4.61y) as the cases group, and 20 handball players as the comparison group (mean age, ±2y, and sex matched), were included. All participants (N=38) completed the assessment protocol. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Measurements were taken of the headache impact (Headache Impact Test-6) and the pressure pain threshold over the trigeminal nerve sensory branches, the masseter muscle, and the tibialis anterior muscle. The secondary outcome measure included the temporomandibular function (Helkimo Clinic Index). Results The boxers showed slight mandibular function impairment, local muscular and neural sensitization, and a higher impact from headaches than did the handball players. The between-group comparison found significant differences in all outcome measures ( P