Elucidation of the neural basis by which aromatherapy improves stress-induced masseter pain

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K17164
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Hasegawa Mana 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 特任助教 (90779620)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: ストレス / うつ / 口腔顔面痛 / マウス / 三叉神経脊髄路核尾側亜核 / 侵害応答 / 咬筋

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Stress-induced pain in the orofacial region has been shown to be due to plastic changes in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of complementary and alternative therapy on stress-induced masseter pain and its neural mechanism from the excitability of the caudal subnucleus (Vc) and rostral medulla oblongata (RVM) of the trigeminal spinal tract. Is to do. As an intervention method, we focused on exercise therapy, which is the same complementary and alternative therapy as aromatherapy. Repeated stress treatment significantly increased the masseter nociceptive response and Vc excitability, but exercise therapy with treadmill running reduced these responses. It was suggested that the stress-induced pain-improving effect of exercise therapy may be due to the improvement of the modulated Vc function.

Free Research Field

痛み

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ストレスに伴う疼痛（ストレス誘発痛）はQOLの低下だけでなく社会的生産性をも損なう。一方で、ストレスはヒトが社会生活を営む上で不可避な存在であるため、これを制御するためには日常的で人体に負担の少ない方法でストレスを解消することが望ましい。本課題では、心理社会的ストレスが誘発する顎顔面部の痛みを、補完代替療法の一つである運動療法が改善する効果と、その脳神経メカニズムが変調した三叉神経脊髄路核尾側亜核（Vc）部の機能改善であることが明らかになった。本研究成果は、日常的なストレス解消法である運動療法の有効性とその科学的根拠の一部を歯科的観点から示したものである。