Assessment of the State-Trait Anxiety Relationship in Patients with Myalgia of Masticatory Muscles

Abstract

Background In clinical practice, non-dental facial pain patients are often seen. The hypothesis of this trial was that a link exists between trait anxiety and local myalgia of masticatory muscles. The study aimed to determine both the pre- and post-treatment anxiety levels of patients diagnosed with local myalgia. Materials and Methods Sixty patients diagnosed with local myalgia were asked to complete the State-Continuous Anxiety Inventory questionnaire before and 2 months after treatment. Scores were compared with a reference standard previously standardized for Turkish people on dental anxiety. Results State and trait anxiety levels were lower after the treatment than before the treatment. Trait anxiety before the treatment was the most intensive type, whereas that after the treatment was the least intensive type. Conclusion Although establishing a cause–effect relationship between local myalgia and anxiety is difficult, patients presenting with local myalgia symptoms should also be evaluated for clinical anxiety. Practical Implications It should be known by dentists that local myalgia patients who do not resolve with standard procedures should be evaluated for anxiety.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• State–trait anxiety
• Myalgia
• Temporomandibular disorders
• TMD

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