Differences in headache patients regarding response to treatment of the masticatory system

Twenty-three neurologically examined headache patients completed treatment for a concomitantly diagnosed craniomandibular disorder. More than two-thirds of the subjects responded favorably to the treatment and headaches decreased. Differences between patients regarding the response to treatment were studied. Patients with a decreased headache intensity reported more coexisting neck problems before treatment (P less than 0.05). Patients with an alleviation of headaches showed a larger distance between passive and active maximum mouth opening before treatment (P less than 0.05). The probability of headache improvement by craniomandibular disorder treatment was found to be greater in patients with a difference of 5 mm or more between passive and active maximum mouth opening (P less than 0.05).