Controlling TMD Enhances Cognitive and Emotional Responsiveness

Background: While previous studies have focused on cognitive improvement over time, they have not necessarily focused on mood changes. The goal of this study was to address pain relief, in particular the immediate response of pain relief. Methods: The focus of this study was 25 chronic TMD patients suffering from craniofacial pain. Trigger point injections were given to alleviate this pain, after a neurocognitive assessment was completed. Patients were then given the Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and a measure of memory (Three Words Three Shape Test) and processing speed (Symbol Search from the WAIS III) test. This was performed on a voluntary basis. Results: Out of 25 participants, 4.2% reported a pain ranking of 1 (on a scale of 0 to 3), 37.5% reported a pain ranking of 2, and 58.3% reported a pain ranking of 3. In regards to the origin of pain, 75% reported that trauma was the origin, 16.7% reported that stress was the origin, and 8% reported that the origin was anatomical in nature. Conclusions: This study has shown that you have a higher chance of immediate increase in cognitive function in terms of processing speed, however memory is not as receptive to immediate change. Craniofacial muscles are therefore less tense. Practical Implications: Can there be an immediate improvement in brain function when pain is eliminated? Dentists who are specialists in treating TMD are proving to revert negative cognitive and emotional changes when TMD symptoms dissipate