Myofascial pain, widespread pressure hypersensitivity, and hyperalgesia in the face, neck, and shoulder regions, in survivors of head and neck cancer

Purpose Medical treatment for head and neck cancer may induce the presence of inflammation, pain, and dysfunction. The purpose of the current study was to assess the presence of myofascial trigger points (TrPs) and their relationship with widespread pressure hypersensitivity and hyperalgesia in survivors of head and neck cancer (sHNC). Methods TrPs and pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) were quantified in different muscles/joints in the head and neck of 30 sHNC (59.45 +/- 13.13 years) and 28 age- and sex-matched controls (58.11 +/- 12.67 years). Results The sHNC had more TrPs in all muscles on the affected side (p < 0.05) than did the healthy controls, and in the temporalis, masseter, and suboccipitalis muscles on the unaffected side (p < 0.05). They also had lower PPTs in all places (p < 0.05) except for the temporalis muscle (p = 0.114) and C5-C6 joint (p = 0.977). The intensity of cervical pain correlated positively with the presence of upper trapezius TrPs. Conclusions sHNC suffering cervical and/or temporomandibular joint pain have multiple active TrPs and experience widespread pressure hypersensitivity and hyperalgesia, suggestive of peripheral and central sensitization.