Masseter muscle thickness, jaw functional limitation, oral behaviors, and psychosocial factors in chronic non-specific neck pain: A cross-sectional study
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, cilt.80, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 80
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103429
- Dergi Adı: Musculoskeletal Science and Practice
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Masseter muscle hypertrophy, Neck pain, Ultrasonography
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP) and temporomandibular disorders are frequently comorbid disorders. To evaluate masseter muscle thickness (MMT) via ultrasonography in women with/without CNSNP and compare oral behaviors, jaw function, and psychosocial factors. This cross-sectional study enrolled 30 female CNSNP patients (March–April 2025, secondary care clinic) and 30 healthy controls. Self-reported clenching/grinding was recorded. Assessments included the Neck Disability Index (NDI), ultrasonographic MMT at rest/maximum contraction, and jaw opening (painless, unassisted, assisted). Jaw function (JFLS-20), anxiety-related symptoms (GAD-7), depression-related symptoms (PHQ-9), somatization (PHQ-15), and oral behaviors (OBC) were assessed. Group comparisons used t-test, Mann–Whitney U, or χ2; correlations used Pearson's or Spearman's tests. MMT was significantly greater in the CNSNP group at rest and contraction (p < 0.05). At rest, the mean difference was −0.09 cm (95 % CI: −0.19 to −0.01, p = 0.038); at contraction, −0.12 cm (95 % CI: −0.21 to −0.02, p = 0.017). Jaw opening did not differ between groups. CNSNP patients had higher GAD-7 (p = 0.001), PHQ-9 (p = 0.002), PHQ-15 (p < 0.001), and OBC (p = 0.002) scores. MMT at contraction correlated with pain duration (r = 0.358, p = 0.005), NDI (r = 0.280, p = 0.031), JFLS-20 (r = 0.261, p = 0.044), and GAD-7 (r = 0.261, p = 0.044); resting MMT correlated with PHQ-9 (r = 0.271, p = 0.036). Women with CNSNP had greater MMT and reported higher anxiety, depression, somatization symptoms, and oral behaviors. Alongside MMT evaluation, psychosocial factors appear important in this population.