J Orofac Pain
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To determine the degree to which the generic pain intensity rating (i.e., overall and without reference to a particular body site) of facial pain patients being seen in a specialty setting for facial pain is influenced by painful comorbidity in body parts other than the face. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that the maximum visual analog scale pain intensity score, observed in any body location, is a better reflection of the generic pain intensity rating than the corresponding score of the face. To avoid over-rating or underrating of facial pain intensity, patients should be instructed to provide site-specific pain intensity scores if painful comorbidity is present.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Topical application of capsaicin for the treatment of localized pain in the temporomandibular joint area.
To determine the effectiveness of topical capsaicin cream application on localized pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. ⋯ The factor of time had a major effect in the non-specific improvement of the parameters assessed. The placebo effect played an important role in the treatment of patients with pain in the TMJ area.
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To investigate and compare absolute pressure-pain threshold (PPT) levels and ratios between craniofacial test and reference sites during consecutive PPT recordings, as well as over a 6-month period, in healthy individuals. This study also investigated PPT differences between genders and the clinical usefulness of different reference sites in the craniofacial region. ⋯ This study shows that absolute PPT levels in healthy individuals change significantly during consecutive PPT recordings, as well as over a 6-month period; this limits the usefulness of such measurements. This study also shows that the use of relative PPTs with the FRO as a reference site is useful, both for comparison between groups and for longitudinal studies.
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To determine potential differences in predictive models of acute temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients divided into groups based on the physiologic characteristics of their TMD. ⋯ The factors that predict which acute TMD patients are most likely to seek additional treatment vary depending on the physiologic basis of their TMD. This suggests that acute TMD patients may benefit from different modalities of treatment, depending on the type of TMD with which they present.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Does the ovarian cycle influence the pressure-pain threshold of the masticatory muscles in symptom-free women?
To test the hypothesis that the ovarian cycle influences the pressure-pain threshold of the masticatory muscles. ⋯ In healthy subjects, there is a link between mechanical sensitivity of the masticatory muscles and fluctuation of the ovarian hormones. The relationship between PPTs of the masticatory muscles and the ovarian cycle should be also investigated in patients with temporomandibular disorders and/or orofacial pain conditions.