A multiprofessional study of patients with myofascial pain-dysfunction syndrome. I

A research team comprising a dentist, a psychiatrist and two physiotherapists examined 113 female patients consecutively referred because of myofascial pain-dysfunction (MPD) syndrome and, for comparison, 46 female patients who attended the dental clinic for a positively diagnosed dental problem. In both groups all subjects were Norwegians, nearly all in the age of reproduction and belonging to the upper social strata. Every second subject in the Comparison group had perceived some MPD-symptoms. The dentist's main findings in the MPD-patient group were high scores on the Anamnestic index and on the Dysfunction index, and moderate scores on the Occlusal index. The psychiatrist's main findings were high scores on restrained aggression and on anxiety, and tense control of emotions generally. The physiotherapists' findings were general muscular tension and inadequate respiratory function in an upright position.