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Gender difference in masseteric exteroceptive suppression period and pain perception
Osamu Komiyama1, Kelun Wang, Peter Svensson
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
Summary
Women exhibit lower reflex and pain thresholds for orofacial electrical stimulation compared to men. These gender differences in sensory-motor integration are crucial for designing future reflex studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Physiology
- Orofacial Function
Background:
- Assessing orofacial function using brain stem reflexes requires understanding demographic influences, particularly gender.
- Quantitative measures of the masseteric exteroceptive suppression (ES) reflex and pain perception are key parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender-specific differences in the relationship between masseteric exteroceptive suppression (ES) reflex response and pain perception.
- To characterize gender differences in reflex threshold (RT) and pain threshold (PT) during electrical stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Surface electromyogram of the masseter muscle was recorded in 12 men and 12 women.
- Electrical stimulation was applied to the mental nerve at intensities ranging from 5 to 35 mA.
- Key metrics determined included reflex threshold (RT), pain threshold (PT), reflex appearance level (RAL), saturation level, slope (SLP), and pain appearance level (PAL).
Main Results:
- Women demonstrated significantly lower pain appearance level (PAL), reflex appearance level (RAL), and slope (SLP) compared to men.
- The pain threshold (PT) was equal to or higher than the reflex threshold (RT) in a majority of men (9/12) but fewer women (4/12).
Conclusions:
- Women exhibit a lower reflex threshold and pain threshold to cutaneous electrical stimulation than men.
- Potential gender differences in sensory-motor integration of orofacial afferent input warrant consideration in future reflex study designs.