Although there is growing evidence that kinesiophobia is correlated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), its relationship with other characteristic TMD comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety, functional limitations, and pain in the TMD population, has rarely been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between kinesiophobia, emotional state, functional state and chronic pain in subjects both with and without TMD. A total of 94 subjects participated in the study and were divided into two groups (47 subjects each)—TMD (subjects with temporomandibular disorders) and nTMD (asymptomatic controls)—on the basis of the RDC/TMD protocol. All measurements were taken with self-administered questionnaires: TSK-TMD for kinesiophobia, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 for psychoemotional state, JFLS-20 for jaw functional limitations, and GCPS for chronic pain. The prevalence of kinesiophobia in the TMD group was 38.3% for moderate risk, and 61.7% for high risk. The TMD group showed significantly higher scores in all categories (kinesiophobia, depression, jaw functional limitations and chronic pain), with the exception of anxiety which was right at the cut-off point. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between kinesiophobia (TSK-TMD) and jaw functional limitations (JFLS-20). Results of this study could provide new insight into the relationship between kinesiophobia and TMD, further improving the diagnosis process.

Current research concerning the repeatability of the joint’s sounds examination in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) is inconclusive; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the repeatability of the specific features of the vibroarthrogram (VAG) in the TMJ using accelerometers. The joint sounds of both TMJs were measured with VAG accelerometers in two groups, study and control, each consisting of 47 participants (n = 94). Two VAG recording sessions consisted of 10 jaw open/close cycles guided by a metronome. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for seven VAG signal features. Additionally, a k-nearest-neighbors (KNN) classifier was defined and compared with a state-of-the-art method (joint vibration analysis (JVA) decision tree). ICC indicated excellent (for the integral below 300 Hz feature), good (total integral, integral above 300 Hz, and median frequency features), moderate (integral below to integral above 300 Hz ratio feature) and poor (peak amplitude feature) reliability. The accuracy scores for the KNN classifier (up to 0.81) were higher than those for the JVA decision tree (up to 0.60). The results of this study could open up a new field of research focused on the features of the vibroarthrogram in the context of the TMJ, further improving the diagnosing process.

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of endometriosis varies between 10% and 18%, while temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) concern between 29 and 34% of the general population. Both conditions share similar etiological factors and symptoms such as widespread, chronic pain. Therefore, both are qualified as Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions. Even though TMDs and endometriosis appear to be comorbidities, up until now, no research has examined how the incidence rates compare between them. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the prevalence of TMD symptoms in women with endometriosis in the Polish population. Methods: 163 adult women with endometriosis, aged 32.41 ± 6.76 years, completed an anonymous online survey regarding their medical history and TMD symptoms. The participants were screened for TMD symptoms using two questionnaires—3Q/TMD and TMD Pain Screener (part of the DC/TMD protocol). The history mainly consisted of a chronology of symptoms’ appearance, medical consultations, and final confirmation of the diagnosis, to establish delay time. Results: The analysis revealed that 77.3% of women with endometriosis showed TMD symptoms, and 49.08% of the whole studied population showed important pain levels. Then, the sample was divided into two groups according to the 3Q/TMD questionnaire—a TMD and an nTMD group. The results showed significantly higher pain levels in the TMD group (r = 0.721) compared to non-symptomatic subjects. The mean patients’ delay time (T1) was 2.81 ± 4.40 years, and the mean doctors’ delay (T2) was 5.32 ± 5.65 years. Conclusions: The results provide a new insight into the relationship between endometriosis and TMD. The prevalence of the latter condition was found to be high, creating a strong recommendation for the use of TMD screening tools in this particular population.

Study aim : The correlation between pain and emotional status in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is established. Nevertheless, there is a lack of up-to-date findings based on objective assessment of pain using a digital algometer on the mastication muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the emotional status and the chronic pain pressure threshold (PPT). Material and methods : Thirty-eight subjects were screened for the existence of temporomandibular disorders with the 3Q/TMD questionnaire for chronic pain (GCPS) and emotional status (PHQ-9 and GAD-7). The results were evaluated in comparison with the PPT measured with a digital algometer on the masseter muscles. Each subject was examined three times (at 1 and 7 months after the initial examination). Chronic pain scores (GCPS) were found to be higher in the TMD group in all three examination sessions (p < 0.05). Results : Pain, depression and anxiety levels were higher in female subjects regardless of the existence of TMD, but only some differences were significant. A correlation between chronic orofacial pain scores and PPT was found in 2 out of 3 examination sessions. Conclusion : The PPT scores for the masseter muscles did not correlate with the emotional state in the study group.

Introduction: Manual traction is a commonly used technique in manual therapy. However, depicting changes in joint space distance via real time imaging during traction is seldomly applied. The aims of the study were to identify ACJ joint space distance changes during manual traction and creation of a classification of the techniques upon the largest change in the resultant parameter (l) representing joint space distance. Material and methods: Thirteen healthy volunteers were examined unilaterally. Acromioclavicular joint space distance changes were measured with dynamic ultrasound imaging during followingmanual traction techniques: International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine technique (IAOM AC), Karel Lewit’s Prague School of Manual Medicine & Rehabilitation technique (LAC) and author’s own proposition (B AC). The differences in joint space distance between resting position (RP) and the traction technique position, created three parameters of displacement - horizontal (x), vertical (y) and (l) - the resultant component. Results: Parameters were not coherent with normal distribution. Statistical differences showed significance in the (x) parameter for IAOM AC compared with L AC (p Conclusions: 1.Significant changes of (x) parameter did not correspond with the significance of the resultant parameter (l), which prevented authors from creating a classification of the techniques. 2.All traction techniques used in the study increased the joint space distance compared to RP, which confirms traction’s theoretical assumptions. 3.For clinical purpose the change of (x) parameter may prove crucial for therapy’s effectiveness, despite lack of change in the joint space distance in the resultant parameter (l) by itself.

The correlation between pain and emotional status in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is known. Regardless of that up to date these findings were seldomly confronted with the objective assessment of pain using a digital algometer on the mastication muscles. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the emotional status, chronic pain pain pressure threshold (PPT). 38 subjects were screened for the existence of temporomandibular disorders with the 3Q/TMD questionnaire, for chronic pain (GCPS) and emotional status (PHQ-9 and GAD-7). The results were confronted with the PPT measured with the digital algometer on the masseter muscles. Each subject was examined three times (after 1 month and after 7 months from the initial exami-nation session. Chronic pain scores (GCPS) were found to be higher in the TMD group in all three examination sessions (p<0,05). The pain, depression and anxiety levels were higher in females de-spite the existence of TMD, but only some were significant.A correlation between chronic orofacial pain scores and PPT was found in 2 out of 3 examination sessions. The PPT scores on the masseter muscles did not correlate with the emotional state in the study population.