Physical activity level and temporomandibular disorders in South Koreans

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between general physical activity level and TMD pain in Koreans in a large-scale national database established through a nationwide survey. Methods: Data from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition ExaminationSurvey (KNHANES IV), which was conducted from 2007 to 2009, were analysed. In total, 16 941 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, TMD-related variables, and general physical activity level were collected. Participants were divided into moderate-and low-intensity exercise groups according to their physical activity levels. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusting for sociodemographic and other covariates. Results:The adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval; CI) for TMD pain was 1.373 (1.017-1.854) for people doing moderate-intensity exercises and 0.797 (0.629-1.008) among people doing low-intensity exercises. Those who did moderateintensity exercises had significantly more TMD pain. This was higher in the 30-to 39-year age group (OR: 1.991, 95% CI: 1.137-3.488), with significantly higher risk for TMD pain in those who did moderate-intensity exercise, whereas low-intensity exercise significantly decreased the risk for TMD pain in the same age group (OR: 0.625, 95% CI: 0.409-0.958). Conclusions:Moderate-intensity physical activity is associated with more TMD pain.Patients with TMD should avoid high-intensity level exercises and continue low-intensity exercises to prevent pain aggravation. CHO et al. previous studies in terms of pain levels and disease duration. Some reports indicate that regular physical activity decreases pain, 9,10 but a few studies have suggested further pain aggravation with physical activity. 10 Exercise effectively reduces pain symptoms, even in patients with chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia and lower back pain. 11,12 However, clinical observations also suggest that many patients with musculoskeletal pain experience an increase in pain and fatigue during exercise or even while conducting simple daily activities. [13][14][15] Unfortunately, previous literature on the interaction between physical activity and musculoskeletal disease status has mostly focused on general chronic pain syndromes such as lower back pain and fibromyalgia, while papers concentrating on orofacial pain (including TMD) are scarce. The few studies concerning TMD have been limited to investigating the effects of specific exercises developed to relax the masticatory muscles and improve mandibular movement. |No study has investigated the association between general physical activity level and TMD symptoms. Since the patient's physical activity level could affect TMD pain severity, the relationship between the two should be examined in order to inform the development of accurate guidelines for prescribing exercise to patients with TMD and to prevent further damage from inappropriate levels of physical activity. Accordingly, this study investiga...

Effect of daily treadmill running exercise on masseter muscle nociception associated with social defeat stress in mice

“…These discrepancies are likely due to the differences in pain models and treadmill running protocols, and our treadmill running protocol (10 m/min, 30 min, 10 days) was not sufficient to behaviorally decrease masseter muscle nociception in non-SDS mice. Although a much higher intensity of daily treadmill running (>10 m/min) might decrease masseter muscle nociception under non-SDS conditions, low-and moderate-intensity exercises decrease and increase the risk of TMD pain, respectively [28]. In accordance with our behavioral data, daily treadmill running had less effect on c-Fos and FosB expression bilaterally, except for laminae III-V ipsilaterally in non-SDS mice.…”

“…Treadmill running reduces chronic pain [24] and improves mental health [71,72]. Increases in the level of physical activity can reduce the risk to increase in chronic TMD pain [28][29][30]. Treadmill running is an effective strategy to reduce chronic pain [24]; however, there is a lack of studies assessing the effects of treadmill running exercises on deep craniofacial nociception with a neural basis in the Vc and C1/C2 regions, particularly under psychological stress conditions.…”

“…Due to the multidimensional etiology of TMD, multidisciplinary approaches, including exercise, are expected for managing chronic pain in deep craniofacial tissues [1][2][3][4]. Biopsychosocial approaches are important for managing painful TMD, which can be affected by physical activity and exercise [27][28][29]. Furthermore, in one study, the prevalence of TMD symptoms was higher among those who exercised less frequently than weekly [30].…”

Does physical activity level have an impact on long-term treatment response in temporomandibular disorders: protocol for a prospective study

“…The accumulating evidence supports the intimate relationship between physical activity, sleep quality, and systemic inflammation which are all factors known to influence TMD symptoms in previous literature [ 71 – 74 ]. Through this prospective study based on objective physical activity measurements in a well-defined patient group of TMD, the resulting data will be able to support the establishment of a clinical guideline related to physical activity recommendations and the diagnostic value of such measurements in TMD prognosis.…”

The Relationship Between Primary Sleep Disorders and Temporomandibular Disorders: An 8-Year Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

“…The results are in line with a recent study that first explored the relationship between general physical activity and TMD with the results showing that moderate-intensity exercise compared with low-intensity exercise was associated with a significantly higher risk of TMD pain while low-intensity exercise significantly decreased such a risk. 72 The interaction between physical activity and sleep is complex with numerous factors including sex, age, exercise type, duration, and compliance moderating the relationship. 73 Generally, poor sleep quality is associated with low physical activity level.…”