Short-term heart rate variability at rest in individuals with temporomandibular disorder: a comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Compare heart rate variability (HRV) indices in participants with and without myogenic temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Secondarily, we correlated HRV indices with pain and quality of life variables. METHODS: This is a comparative observational cross-sectional study. Individuals of both genders with and without a history of TMD were included. Short-term heart rate variability was assessed using a Polar V800. Central sensitization was assessed using the Central Sensitization Inventory. Pain through the numeric pain scale and the impact of oral health on quality of life using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 80 participants were enrolled in the study: most individuals included in both groups were young adults, women and slightly overweight. We observed a decrease in HRV in the TMD group (p < 0.01) when compared to the control group. In addition, we observed a greater impact of oral health on quality of life, central sensitization in addition to high resting pain scores (p < 0.01). We observed significant correlation between the LF index of HRV and the FAI score (r = 0.311; p = 0.05). The NPS, CSI and OHIP-14 scores did not correlate with any of the HRV indices (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The short-term HRV in individuals with TMD is significantly lower when compared to a control group. Furthermore, there seems to be a relationship between the severity of the dysfunction and the HRV variables. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Using portable and low-cost devices, the HRV can be easily collected and analyzed, without the need for an arsenal of equipment such as the conventional electrocardiogram. This measure can contribute to the therapy adopted and identify individuals prone to unfavorable outcomes involving ANS modulation.

N-Formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine Plays a Neuroprotective and Anticonvulsant Role in Status Epilepticus Model.

Status epilepticus (SE) is described as continuous and self-sustaining seizures, which triggers hippocampal neurodegeneration, inflammation, and gliosis. N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) has been associated with inflammatory process. N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) peptide plays an anti-inflammatory role, mediated by the activation of G-protein-coupled FPR. Here, we evaluated the influence of fMLP peptides on the behavior of limbic seizures, memory consolidation, and hippocampal neurodegeneration process. Male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) received microinjections of pilocarpine in hippocampus (H-PILO, 1.2 mg/µL, 1 µL) followed by fMLP (1 mg/mL, 1 µL) or vehicle (VEH, saline 0.9%, 1 µL). During the 90 min of SE, epileptic seizures were analyzed according to the Racine's Scale. After 24 h of SE, memory impairment was assessed by the inhibitory avoidance test and the neurodegeneration process was evaluated in hippocampal areas. There was no change in latency and number of wet dog shake (WDS) after administration of fMLP. However, our results showed that the intrahippocampal infusion of fMLP reduced the severity of seizures, as well as the number of limbic seizures. In addition, fMLP infusion protected memory dysfunction followed by SE. Finally, the intrahippocampal administration of fMLP attenuated the process of neurodegeneration in both hippocampi. Taken together, our data suggest a new insight into the functional role of fMLP peptides, with important implications for their potential use as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of brain disorders, such as epilepsy. Schematic drawing on the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant role of fMLP during status epilepticus. Initially, a cannula was implanted in hippocampus and pilocarpine/saline was administered into the hippocampus followed by fMLP/saline (A-C). fMLP reduced seizure severity and neuronal death in the hippocampus, as well as protecting against memory deficit (D).

Self-Estimated Functional Inability Because of Pain Questionnaire for Athletes: A Reliability and Construct Validity Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure the reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effects of the Brazilian version of the Self-Estimated Functional Inability Because of Pain Questionnaire for athletes (SEFIP-sport). METHODS: This was a validity questionnaire study developed in a university community. Athletes or practitioners of any sport undertaking regular practice (weekly frequency of at least twice a week for at least 6 months), with the ability to read and write in Brazilian Portuguese, were included. We evaluated disability by means of the SEFIP-sport and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire for general pain, pain intensity by means of a numerical rating scale, quality of life by means of the Short-Form Health Survey, and predicted disability by means of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one athletes or regular practitioners of sport were recruited and included in the study. We observed adequate values of reliability (κ ≥ 0.40, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.91), internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.81), and correlations (r s ≥ -0.376) of the total SEFIP-sport score with the numerical rating scale; the pain, vitality, and social aspects domains of the Short-Form Health Survey; the Roland-Morris questionnaire; and the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the SEFIP-sport demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for use in athletes.

Brazilian Version of the Self-Estimated Functional Inability Because of Pain in Dancers: A Validation Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure the reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effects of the Brazilian version of the Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain (SEFIP-dance) instrument. METHODS: This was a questionnaire validation study. Both professional dancers and those who use dance as a recreational activity were included in the study. For test-retest reliability, SEFIP-dance was administered to the same dancer at 2 different times, with an interval of 7 days between the moments. For construct validity, Spearman's correlation coefficient (r s) was used to determine the magnitude of the correlations between SEFIP-dance and the Numerical Rating Scale, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire for general pain, and the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 111 dancers were recruited and included in the study. From this total sample, a subsample of 31 was used for the calculations of test-retest reliability: when considering each item of SEFIP-dance, we observed adequate κ values (κ ≥ 0.52); considering the total score, we observed excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94). In addition, we identified adequate values for internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.80). We observed significant correlations of the SEFIP-dance total score with the Numerical Rating Scale, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, the Roland-Morris questionnaire, and the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (r s varying between 0.248 and 0.489). Ceiling and floor effects were not observed. CONCLUSION: This study found that the Brazilian Portuguese version of SEFIP-dance has psychometric properties suitable for its use in dancers.