Symptom reporting in temporomandibular joint clicking: some theoretical considerations

Analysis of research on psychological aspects of temporomandibular disorders suggests that self-reports of symptoms do not constitute reliable instruments for the measurement of physiological processes. In TMJ clicking, the actual physiological signal can be measured and compared with self-reports of the sounds. In this article a model is presented to describe perception, interpretation, and reporting of TMJ sounds. Three questionnaires are presented that measure aspects of these psychological processes. Recommendations are made for future research.