title: Jaw dysfunction is associated with neck disability and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic temporomandibular disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tender points in the neck are common in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the correlation among neck disability, jaw dysfunction, and muscle tenderness in subjects with TMD still needs further investigation. This study investigated the correlation among neck disability, jaw dysfunction, and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic TMD. Participants. Forty females between 19 and 49 years old were included in this study. There were 20 healthy controls and 20 subjects who had chronic TMD and neck disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects completed the neck disability index and the limitations of daily functions in TMD questionnaires. Tenderness of the masticatory and cervical muscles was measured using an algometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correlation between jaw disability and neck disability was significantly high (r = 0.915, P < 0.05). The correlation between level of muscle tenderness in the masticatory and cervical muscles with jaw dysfunction and neck disability showed fair to moderate correlations (r = 0.32-0.65).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High levels of muscle tenderness in upper trapezius and temporalis muscles correlated with high levels of jaw and neck dysfunction. Moreover, high levels of neck disability correlated with high levels of jaw disability. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the neck and its structures when evaluating and treating patients with TMD.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Health Services, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2B7.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Gadotti
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G4.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Armijo-Olivo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, 01504-001 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Biasotto-Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G4.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D063806:Myalgia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology