Jaw Muscle Function in Patients With Tension-type Headache

Patients with tension-type headache (TTH) and migraine often experience musculoskeletal complaints, like neck pain and/or jaw pain. Earlier studies have revealed an association between different headache types and neck pain and discussed the possible role of the cervical muscles. Furthermore, patients with neck pain show a decrease in motor control of the jaw, without having any other signs of TMD. Similarly, studies in patients with TMD have only found an indication for poorer neck muscle function. Patients with TMD also show a decrease in bite force and force steadiness compared to healthy controls. It is however, unknown if bite force and force steadiness are similarly impaired in patients with headache and/or neck pain. The current study will take a closer look at the jaw muscle function of in patients with TTH, with and without neck pain.