Evaluation of somatosensory bedside testing and neurodynamics of the trigeminal nerve in craniofacial pain: A matched case-control study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether trigeminal somatosensory function and mechanosensitivity differ between groups with craniofacial neuropathic pain (CNP), non-neuropathic craniofacial pain (NNP), and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Thirty-three participants were categorized into these groups, matched for age and sex. The study evaluated pain intensity, the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS), and various trigeminal somatosensory tests, including vibration, pressure pain, thermal detection, cold pain, and neurodynamic tests of the trigeminal nerve.

Results: Cold pain thresholds differed significantly among the three groups CNP, NNP, and HC (p = .047). No difference was found in vibration detection, pressure pain threshold, and thermal detection. Trigeminal nerve mechanosensitivity was significantly different among the three groups (p = .03), particularly between groups CNP and HC (p = .01).

Conclusion: Differences in aspects of trigeminal somatosensory function, including cold pain and trigeminal mechanosensitivity, exist between subjects with chronic craniofacial pain and HC. This implies that a clinical classification system for neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation could be valuable in evaluating patients.