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Volume 14
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10.3390/jcm14248967
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Association Between Nociplastic Pain Criteria and Clinical and Physiological Features in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

by
Flora Dantony
1,*,
Daniel Romero-Rodríguez
1,
David Blanco
1,
Carlos Antonio Zárate-Tejero
1,
Carolina Climent-Sanz
1,
Cristina Pérez-Mánen
1,
Natalia Felipe-Spada
2 and
Andoni Carrasco-Uribarren
1
1
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/Josep Trueta s/n, Sant Cugat del Vallès, 08195 Barcelona, Spain
2
Department of TMJ, School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/Josep Trueta s/n, Sant Cugat del Vallès, 08195 Barcelona, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(24), 8967; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248967
Submission received: 14 November 2025 / Revised: 11 December 2025 / Accepted: 16 December 2025 / Published: 18 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Rehabilitation)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objective: Emerging evidence indicates that temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients may present features of nociplastic pain (NP), characterized by central sensitization (CS)-related symptoms. This study aims to identify factors associated with CS-related symptoms and pain sensitivity in patients with TMD and NP-related features. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 43 TMD patients were assessed for CS-related symptoms (CSI), proximal, distal, global pressure pain threshold (PPTs, algometer), orofacial pain intensity (VAS), jaw impairment (FAI), maximal isometric strength of four muscle groups (dynamometer), resting heart rate (RHR, chest band), kinesiophobia (TKS-11), physical activity level (IPAQ), anxiety (HADS), and sleep quality (PSQI). Associations were analyzed using linear regression models adjusted for gender, age, and symptoms duration. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that higher CSI was significantly associated with greater jaw impairment (Estimate 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.18) and higher pain intensity (Estimate 0.26, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.38). Lower PPT was significantly associated with lower grip strength (Proximal: Estimate 0.03, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05; Distal: Estimate 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.14; Global: Estimate 2.44, 95% CI 0.57 to 4.31), and proximal PPT with higher RHR (Estimate −0.02, 95% CI −0.03 to 0). Conclusions: Association was found between CS-related symptoms and pain intensity and jaw impairment, while lower PPTs were related to decreased maximal isometric grip strength and elevated RHR, thus highlighting the need for multimodal treatment in TMD patients.
Keywords: temporomandibular disorders; nociplastic pain; central sensitization; pressure pain threshold; grip strength temporomandibular disorders; nociplastic pain; central sensitization; pressure pain threshold; grip strength

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MDPI and ACS Style

Dantony, F.; Romero-Rodríguez, D.; Blanco, D.; Zárate-Tejero, C.A.; Climent-Sanz, C.; Pérez-Mánen, C.; Felipe-Spada, N.; Carrasco-Uribarren, A. Association Between Nociplastic Pain Criteria and Clinical and Physiological Features in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 8967. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248967

AMA Style

Dantony F, Romero-Rodríguez D, Blanco D, Zárate-Tejero CA, Climent-Sanz C, Pérez-Mánen C, Felipe-Spada N, Carrasco-Uribarren A. Association Between Nociplastic Pain Criteria and Clinical and Physiological Features in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(24):8967. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248967

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dantony, Flora, Daniel Romero-Rodríguez, David Blanco, Carlos Antonio Zárate-Tejero, Carolina Climent-Sanz, Cristina Pérez-Mánen, Natalia Felipe-Spada, and Andoni Carrasco-Uribarren. 2025. "Association Between Nociplastic Pain Criteria and Clinical and Physiological Features in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 24: 8967. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248967

APA Style

Dantony, F., Romero-Rodríguez, D., Blanco, D., Zárate-Tejero, C. A., Climent-Sanz, C., Pérez-Mánen, C., Felipe-Spada, N., & Carrasco-Uribarren, A. (2025). Association Between Nociplastic Pain Criteria and Clinical and Physiological Features in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(24), 8967. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248967

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