Stress as a factor in muscle and temporomandibular joint pain

Summary Stress‐induced muscle hyperactivity has been proposed as a major aetiological factor in the production of pain in the muscles of mastication and the temporomandibular joints. In the present study, a total of fifty‐two patients with joint or muscle pain were evaluated for stress with the Derogatis Stress Profile (DSP). The muscle pain group (n=24) had higher clinician ratings of psychological factors, stress and chronicity. The muscle‐pain group also had higher Environmental Stress scores on the DSP, more intense pain, and more activity impairment than the joint‐pain group (n=28). The results of multiple regression analysis suggest an association between pain, depression, and impairment of activity in the muscle‐pain group but not in the joint‐pain group. The overall results further suggest that muscle pain develops at ‘normal’ levels of stress.