Stress induced oral behaviors and facial pain

Facial pain is frequently associated with environmental stress and emotiona l distress. One hypothetical mechanism by which stress is translated into p ain is through stress induced motor function (e.g,, teeth clenching, grindi ng, nail biting). Existent data partially supports these stress-hyperactivi ty models although they have also come under theoretical and empirical atta ck. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between oral behaviors and pain in an analog sample of facial pain sufferers and student controls. Subjects engaged in a controlled clenching task and reported on subjective facial pain intensity and unpleasantness at 5 specified times ov er the subsequent 48 hours. A one-way ANCOVA indicated group differences in self reported oral habits (p < .05) with the facial pain group reporting g reat frequency of oral habits. Two repented measures ANCOVAs (i.e., pain in tensity and pain unpleasantness), controlling for baseline pain ratings, in dicated a between groups effect with facial pain sufferers experiencing sig nificantly greater pain over the 48 hours postexperiment (p < .05). This st udy supports a hyperactivity model of facial pain and provides clues about relevant factors in facial pain development.