The relationships among depression, pain, and masticatory functioning in temporomandibular disorder patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of comorbid depression and pain on an early biopsychosocial intervention for acute temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients.


METHODS
Depressed (either current or lifetime; n=32) or nondepressed (n=31) acute TMD patients received a biopsychosocial intervention, and were evaluated at preintervention and again 12 months postintervention by Characteristic Pain Intensity, the Beck Depression Inventory, and a masticatory function test.


RESULTS
Findings revealed that both depressed and nondepressed patients reported comparable pain decreases at 12 months postintervention. Moreover, there were no significant differences between patient groups in masticatory function.


CONCLUSIONS
With appropriate early biopsychosocial intervention, acute TMD patients, regardless of the presence or absence of vulnerability to depression symptomatology, can be effectively treated.
Gatchel
Robert J
RJ
Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Texas-Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019-0528, USA. gatchel@uta.edu
Stowell
Anna W
AW
Buschang
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012737:Sex Factors; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*