Effect of experimental chewing on masticatory muscle pain onset.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a chewing exercise on pain intensity and pressure-pain threshold in patients with myofascial pain.

Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive women diagnosed with myofascial pain (MFP) according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria comprised the experimental group and 15 healthy age-matched female were used as controls. Subjects were asked to chew a gum stick for 9 min and to stay at rest for another 9 min afterwards.

Palpation of the lateral pterygoid area in the myofascial pain diagnosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of intraoral palpation at the lateral pterygoid (LP) area as part of the physical examination to detect myofascial pain, according to modified research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders.

Study Design: Forty-four women composed the myofascial pain group, and 33 symptom-free age-matched were the control group. One examiner calibrated and blinded to group distribution performed 2 intraoral bilateral palpations of the lateral pterygoid.

Pressure pain threshold in the detection of masticatory myofascial pain: an algometer-based study.

Aims: To compare pressure pain threshold (PPT) values for masticatory muscles in patients with signs and symptoms of myofascial pain and in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods: Fifty women with masticatory myofascial pain comprised the symptomatic group (group 1), while 49 TMD symptom-free women were selected as controls (group 2). The PPT was obtained with the aid of an algometer by applying pressure to the masseter and to the anterior, middle, and posterior temporalis.