Movements, lumbar and temporomandibular pain and psychopathology.

Abstract

157 males and females divided into four psychodiagnostic groups have been examined according to a specially defined physiotherapeutic (ad modum Sundsvold). In this paper, results from the evaluation of passive and active movements in five body significant differences concerning inhibited movements between the four groups were found, the psychotic group being most inhibited followed by the ego-week neurotic group, the substance-abusing group and the healthy control group. With regard to the slack movements, significant differences were found in the two extremity regions. The substance-abusing group had the most slack movements, next came the ego-weak neurotic group, the psychotic group and lastly the control group. Men were more inhibited than women in three regions, mostly in the lumbosacral region. This finding is discussed in relationship to the high frequency of lumbar disc herniation in men. Women were more significantly inhibited in the temporomandibular region, a finding which may explain why mostly women are suffering from the myofacial pain syndrome.