Citation

Mendoza-Puente M, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A, Rodriguez-Blanco C, Heredia-Rizo AM, Torres-Lagares D, Ordoñez FJ. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2014; 95(10): 1977-1983.

Affiliation

Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology, School of Physical Education and Sports Medicine, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2014.06.011

PMID

24996064

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differences in the incidence of headache, trigeminal nerve mechanosensitivity, and temporomandibular functionality, in professional male boxers (exposed to repetitive cranio-facial trauma) who were actively training and without severe previous injuries, compared to handball players. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: University-based physical therapy research clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen boxers as the cases group and twenty handball players as the comparison group (age, ± 2 years, and sex matched), were included (23 ± 4.61 years). All participants completed the assessment protocol. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements were taken of the headache impact (Headache Impact Test-6) and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) over the trigeminal nerve sensory branches, the masseter and tibialis anterior muscles. Secondary outcome measure included the temporomandibular function (Helkimo Clinic index).

RESULTS: The boxers showed slight mandibular function impairment, local muscular and neural sensitization and a higher impact from headaches compared to the handball players. The between-group comparison found significant differences in all outcome measures (p<.05), except in the tibialis anterior muscle PPT on the dominant (p=.958) and the non-dominant sides (p=.453).

CONCLUSION: Professional male boxers seem to suffer a greater headache impact and local sensitization of the craniomandibular region when compared to professional handball players. It cannot be determined if these findings are transient, as a result of the training activity, or more permanent.

Language: en