Karina H. Bendixen

Intramuscular pH modulates glutamate-evoked masseter muscle pain magnitude in humans

This study was conducted to determine whether glutamate‐evoked jaw muscle pain is modulated by the acidity and temperature of the solution injected.

Effects of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) with different rates on autonomic nervous system responses and self-reported levels of stress

To characterise self-reported levels of stress and autonomic responses in healthy humans evoked by different rates of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT). Fifteen participants performed PASATs with different rates (3·6-, 2·4-, 1·6- or 1·2-s intervals) and a control task, in random order. Correct responses, self-reported levels of stress and autonomic responses to the PASATs were estimated. Increased PASAT rates were associated with decreases in correct responses (P < 0·001) and increases in self-reported levels of stress (P < 0·001). For autonomic responses, significant changes were seen in 10 variables during 2·4-s PASAT compared with the respective baseline; however, significant differences in relative changes from baseline were found between the 2·4-s PASAT and control task only for mean RR-intervals (P < 0·001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0·002 and P = 0·006) and cardiac output (P < 0·001). Regarding comparison between the four PASATs, significant differences in the relative changes from baseline were seen between the 3·6-s PASAT and faster PASATs, for example mean RR-intervals, high-frequency power and respiration rate; however, there were no differences between the faster PASATs. The autonomic responses during the PASATs with different rates were quite similar for the faster PASATs (intervals < 2·4 s); however, the slowest 3·6-s PASAT evoked significantly less self-reported stress and autonomic arousal compared with the faster PASATs. Standardization of the PASAT rate may be important for studies on autonomic nervous system function and self-reported measures of stress. Future studies may test more complex interactions between stress, autonomic responses and pain responses.

Critical Commentary 3: Reliability and Validity of the DC/TMD Axis I

No abstract available.

Effects of Low‐Intensity Contractions of Different Craniofacial Muscles in Healthy Participants – An Experimental Cross‐Over Study

Repetitive jaw‐muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible, ie, bruxism, is traditionally linked to pain and unpleasantness in the active muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of standardized craniofacial muscle contractions on self‐reported symptoms.