The relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction, sleep quality, perceived stress, and upper crossed syndrome in young adults: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to examine the relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), sleep quality, perceived stress level, and postural alignment in young adults.

Materials and Methods: A total of 168 university students aged 18-30 were included in the study. New York Posture Analysis Scale (NPA) for posture, the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) for TMD, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for stress level were used. Statistical analyses were conducted using parametric and nonparametric tests and multiple regression analysis.

Results: 63.1% of the participants were female, and the mean age was 20.66±2.22 years. According to the regression analysis, only orthodontic treatment history was found to have a significant effect on posture (p=0.032). No statistically significant correlation was found between gender, age, grade, missing teeth, chronic disease, FAI, PSQI, or PSS scores, and posture (p>0.05). Furthermore, a weak negative correlation was found between FAI and PSS (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our study revealed that orthodontic treatment history is associated with postural disorders. TMD, sleep quality, and perceived stress level were found to have no direct effect on posture. The findings suggest that postural disorders should be evaluated from a multifactorial, biopsychosocial perspective.