Psychosomatic Symptoms in Patients With Myofascial Pain and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are defined as the group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that involves temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and their associated structures (1). Clinically, TMDs are characterized by jaw pain, mandibular movement limitation, joint sounds, and often referred pain in the head, neck, or shoulders region (2). The myofascial pain, a subtype of TMD, is most prevalent condition and it accounts for approximately 50% of all TMD cases in clinical settings (3). Although it's a prevalent condition, but its complex aetiology makes it difficult to diagnose (4).

Inclusion criteria

diagnosed patients with myofascial pain and TMD for at least six months based on Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD), Axis I, age between 20 and 60 years, literate and able to comprehend the questionnaire no prior psychological treatment for pain.

Exclusion criteria

age <20 or >60 years, low literacy (less than five years of formal education), history of major psychiatric or neurological disorders, diagnosed joint pathologies (e.g., arthritis, disc displacement with reduction), history of migraine or facial trauma, drug dependency and pregnancy or current use of psychotropic medication.