Assessment and treatment of stress in myofascial pain-dysfunction syndrome: a model for analysis

Myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) syndrome has received widespread attention in the dental and psychological literature. The present paper considers issues concerning a stress-related muscular hyperactivity theory of MPD syndrome. A review of the empirical evidence as well as methodological problems evident in these studies has been noted. In addition, definition aspects of stress and a conceptual model of stress in clinical use is presented. A functional analysis of the problem components will help determine a proper treatment protocol for patients suffering from stress-related myofascial pain. A discussion of the conceptual model for assessment and treatment purposes is presented and its implications for future research noted.