An Investigation of temporomandibular pain, headache, and fatigue in relation with long-term mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic period

ABSTRACT

Objective

To investigate the effects of long-term mask use on temporomandibular pain, headache, and fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic period via a survey.

Methods

The survey was sent online, and symptoms associated with mask use, perception of mask discomfort, temporomandibular dysfunction, fatigue, headache, and trigger points of temporomandibular joint were evaluated.

Results

For the study, 909 people were screened. Head, neck, face, throat, ear, and jaw pain, cheek tension, teeth clamping, acne, mask trace, palpitation, and voice and sleep disorders were different between groups (p < 0.05). The individuals’ temporomandibular dysfunction and fatigue were different between groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Long-term mask use can cause many symptoms, such as headache, jaw pain, and fatigue. Furthermore, increased mask-wearing time can trigger all these symptoms. The authors recommend relaxing breaks and exercises for neck, jaw, and face muscles along with the use of appropriate masks to minimize negative symptoms.

KEYWORDS:

• Mask
• temporomandibular joint disorders
• headache
• fatigue
• COVID-19

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to individuals who participated and consented to join this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contribution

All authors contributed to the study conception, design and data collection. Data analysis was performed by [Yasemin Ateş Sarı]]. The first draft of the manuscript were written by [Esra Nur Özcan], [Sevilay Seda Baş], [Yasemin Ateş Sarı], [Sena Çarıkçı] and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of University… (14.06.2021./286-58).

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.