Prevalence of temporomandibular disorder–related findings in violinists compared with control subjects
Received 9 October 2008; received in revised form 27 August 2009; accepted 29 August 2009.
Objective
The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between violin playing and the presence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Study design
We studied a group of violinists in the Murcia region of Spain, who were examined for TMD. The results were compared with those from a random control group who did not play any musical instrument. The groups were matched by age and gender. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 15.0 statistical software.
Results
Compared with the control subjects, the violinists as a group had significantly more pain in maximum mouth opening (P < .005), parafunctional habits (P = .001), and occurrence of temporomandibular joint sounds (P < .005) as determined by chi-squared.
Conclusions
Violin playing appears to be a factor associated with TMD-related findings.
aAssistant Lecturer, TMD and Orofacial Pain Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
bLecturer, TMD and Orofacial Pain Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
cLecturer, Oral Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
Reprint requests: Dr. Francisco Javier Rodríguez Lozano, Clínica Odontológica Universitaria, Hospital Morales Meseguer, Avda. Marqués de los Vélez s/n, Murcia 30008, Spain
ABSTRACT