Changes to Jaw Movement after Experimental Pain

Abstract

To determine whether is any resolution of a brief episode of orofacial pain, and significant changes in jaw motor activity that persist beyond the period of pain, the experiment was conducted. Chewing jaw movements were recorded during free chewing and chewing standardized for rate, in 10 asymptomatic participants. The same procedure without injection was done in 10 control group. Participants completed clinical examination of horizontal and vertical jaw excursions, and also both DASS-21 and the PCS. Pain intensity was maintained (40-60/100 mm) level throughout the continuous infusion period. The mean velocity and the mean amplitude of the opening and return closing phases of the chewing cycles were analyzed using ANOVA. The data was analyzed for main effects of block and for interaction between block and group and also for each of the outgoing and closing phases for each of the free and the standardized chewing movements. The data suggest that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the experimental pain and control groups for age, measurements of maximum jaw opening, for the total score of the (PCS) or for the scores of depression, anxiety or stress.