Pressure Pain Thresholds [PPT] of Head and Neck Muscles in a Normal Population

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pressure pain thresholds [PPTS] of head and neck muscles in a normal population without any history of headache, facial, or neck pain according to gender and age. Methods: Thirteen pairs of head and neck muscles of 207 normal subjects, 104 males and 103 females, were examined by one observer with one Electronic Algometer [Type I, Somedic, Sweden]. The subjects were grouped into the age distribution of the 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s and all age groups were composed of 20-24 males and 19-23 females. Results: Gender differences in PPT were found in 6 muscles among 13 muscles in the teen age group, 12 muscles in the group of the 20s subjects, 9 muscles in the group of the 30s subjects, 5 muscles in the group of the 40s subjects and 4 muscles in the group of the 50s subjects [P < 0.05]. Significant differences of PPT in accordance with age groups were found in 5 muscles in male subjects and 10 muscles in female subjects [P < 0.05]. Although definite correlation between PPT and gender or age was not found, PPTs in head and neck muscles generally showed lower thresholds in women than in men and increased with age. Conclusions: Although the authors could not find definite correlations between PPT and gender or age, PPTs on head and neck muscles generally showed lower thresholds in women than in men and increased with age. The authors provide normative data of PPTs on head and neck muscles in the normal population and future studies can examine PPT using this algometer and data as a basis.