Pain Sensitivity of Sub-Occipital Muscles in  Temporomandibular Disorder Patients: A Comparison with  Normal Subjects

Authors

Biswajit Kanungo1 , Ramesh Chandra Patra2 , Patitapaban Mohanty3 , Harmanpreet Kaur4

Temporomandibular Disorders, Pressure Pain Threshold, Sub-Occipital Muscles

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are one of the most communal musculoskeletal

disorders. Sub-occipital muscle tenderness shows a significant role in the pathogenesis of TMD. The main

purpose of this this study was to find out the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) level in patient with TMD.

Material and Method: A total of two hundred participants were divided into group A with 100 participants

presenting with signs and symptoms of TMD and group B with 100 participants of normal individuals. Age

of the participant was between 18-49 years. Sub-occipital muscle sensitivity was measured by Pressure pain

threshold algometer.

Results: The mean value of PPT for group A found very low, for male=3.77±0.16 (Right side), 4.52±0.26

(left side) and for female=3.77±0.16 (right side), 4.52±0.26 (left side). whereas mean value of group B for

male 4.94±.46 (Right side), 4.94±.46 (left side) and for female 4.94±.46 (right side), 4.94±.46 (left side).

These results were statistically significant (???? < 0.05).

Conclusion: Participants with TMD showed low PPT as compare to normal control subjects. Therefore, it

is important for the clinician to give importance to the sub-occipital muscles for better management of TMD

patients.

Biswajit Kanungo1 , Ramesh Chandra Patra2 , Patitapaban Mohanty3 , Harmanpreet Kaur4

1 Assistant Professor, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 2Assistant Professor, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 3Associate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy SVNIRTAR, Cuttuck, Odisha, 4Assistant Professor, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh, Punjab