Numerous studies have analyzed the relationship between psychological factors and bruxism. However, the data are often obscured by the lack of precise diagnostic criteria and the variety of the psychological questionnaires used. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between awake bruxism and psychological factors (anxiety, depression, sociability, stress coping, and personality traits). With this aim, 68 participants (13 males) completed a battery of psychological questionnaires, a self-reported bruxism questionnaire, and a clinical examination. Based on their scores on the bruxism questionnaire and the clinical examination, subjects were divided into two groups. Subjects who met the criteria for “probable awake bruxism” were assigned to the case group (n = 29, five males). The control group (n = 39, nine males) was composed of subjects who showed no signs or symptoms of bruxism in the examination nor in the questionnaire. The probable awake bruxism group presented significantly higher levels of trait and state anxiety, symptoms of somatization, and neuroticism than the control group. Despite this, and when their problem coping strategies were considered, awake bruxers showed higher levels in Positive Reappraisal (p < 0.05), a strategy generally considered as adaptive. In conclusion, although awake bruxers in our study showed larger levels of anxiety, somatization, and neuroticism, they also displayed more adapted coping strategies, while according to previous data TMD patients (which generally also present high levels of anxiety, somatization and neuroticism) might tend to present less adaptive coping styles. Thus, awake bruxism may play a positive role in stress coping, which would be compatible with the hypothesis of mastication as a means of relieving psychological tension. This finding should be further confirmed by future research comparing TMD patients with definitive awake bruxers and controls and using larger and more representative samples.

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Background. This study investigated whether a Pressure Release Technique (PRT) is effective for reducing pain in people with chronic myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). Methods. A single-blinded randomized parallel-group trial, with 3 months follow-up was conducted. A total of seventy-two patients were randomly allocated to receive PRT or sham PRT. The primary outcome was pain assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPTs), Range of Opening of the Mouth (ROM), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) and State-Trait Depression Index (ST-DEP). All parameters were assessed at baseline, at the end of the treatment and at 3 months follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results. here were significant main effects of time, group and interaction between time and group (F ≥ 21.92; P < .001) on VAS pain. Post-hoc tests showed a significant reduction in VAS pain scores in the PRT group (≥ 31.9%; P < .001). Effect sizes were moderate in the PRT group at all follow-up periods (≥ 1.25 Cohen´s d). Also, there were significant effects of time in secondary outcomes (F ≥ 9.65; P < .001), and there were also interactions between time and group (F ≥ 3.82; P < .002) with better effects in the PRT group. Conclusions. The inclusion of PRT to conventional management with occlusal splints and self-care management appears to be effective to improve self-reported levels of pain in patients with chronic myofascial TMD pain. Retrospectively registered (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03619889).

Background: Patients suffering pain-related temporomandibular disorders (TMD) exhibit greater levels of psychological distress, environmental stress, somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, somatic awareness, pain catastrophizing, and impaired pain coping strategies compared to pain-free controls. However, little is known about psychological factors involved in the different TMD types fulfilling DC/TMD criteria. Furthermore, regardless of severity, the role of general coping strategies and styles in TMD is not yet well understood. The main goal of this study was to investigate stressrelated coping styles, anxiety and personality traits in a group of dentistry students suffering from temporomandibular disorder with myalgia. Methods:A cohort of 102 university students was initially recruited for this study. Following clinical evaluation, a myalgia group (24 participants) and a control group (25 participants) were formed.Participants were later assessed in anxiety, stress coping strategies, and personality measures by using the State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), coping response inventory (CRI), and Neo Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) questionnaires respectively.

Background: Patients suffering pain related temporomandibular disorders (TMD) exhibit greater levels of psychological distress, environmental stress, somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, somatic awareness, pain catastrophizing, and impaired pain coping strategies compared to pain-free controls. However, little is known about psychological factors involved in the different TMD types fulfilling DC/TMD criteria. Furthermore, regardless of severity, the role of general coping strategies and styles in TMD is not yet well understood. The main goal of this study was to investigate stress-related coping styles, anxiety and personality traits in a group of dentistry students suffering from temporomandibular disorder with myalgia. Methods: A cohort of 102 university students was initially recruited for this study. Following clinical evaluation, a myalgia group (24 participants) and a control group (25 participants) were formed. Participants were later assessed in anxiety, stress coping strategies, and personality measures by using the State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), coping response inventory (CRI), and Neo Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) questionnaires respectively. Results: The myalgia group presented greater levels of trait anxiety and neuroticism in comparison to the control group. In addition, participants with myalgia showed higher levels of avoidance coping. Conclusions: Avoidance coping strategies are generally considered maladaptive, as they seem to increase perceived stress, a robust predictor of TMD. Interventions aimed at reducing stress levels and preventing maladaptive coping styles, might improve temporomandibular health and prevent the myalgia and its chronification.