Musculoskeletal pain is associated with poor sleep quality and increased daytime sleepiness in dental students: a cross-sectional pilot study

Objective: While a bidirectional relationship between sleep health and musculoskeletal pain has been established among chronic pain patients, few studies explored it among dental students. This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship of self-reported musculoskeletal pain with sleep health and psychological outcomes among dental students, and whether differences existed as a function of number and location of painful body-sites. Method and materials: Validated questionnaires were sent through REDCap to dental students at a predoctoral dental school, assessing presence, location (head, shoulder/ neck, jaw, back, body), and intensity of musculoskeletal pain, sleep health (risk of sleep apnea, insomnia severity symptoms, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and chronotype), and psychological outcomes (anxiety/depression). Differences between those with and without musculoskeletal pain, and across participants with different number and location of painful sites were tested with t tests and ANOVA, adjusting for age/ gender. Results: Out of 80 participants (82.5% women), 76.3% reported musculoskeletal pain (68.9% in neck/shoulders). Those with musculoskeletal pain scored significantly worse in sleep quality (P< .001) and daytime sleepiness (P< .001). Those with more than three painful body-sites reported worse sleep quality (P= .006) and daytime sleepiness (P= .003) than pain-free controls. There were no differences on sleep and psychological outcomes as a function of number of painful body-sites. Those reporting back pain scored worse in insomnia (P= .037), daytime sleepiness (P= .002), and sleep quality (P= .006) than those without back pain. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal pain is prevalent among dental students and associated with worse sleep health. While number of painful sites may not influence sleep/psychological health, specific locations (eg, back pain) were associated with worse sleep functioning.