Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Manual Therapy vs. Home Exercise in Myogenic TMD With Neck Pain

ConditionsTemporomandibular Joint DisordersNeck Pain Musculoskeletal
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-45
SponsorPamukkale University

About this trial

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common musculoskeletal conditions affecting the jaw joint and surrounding chewing muscles. Myogenic TMD specifically involves muscle pain and dysfunction, which is frequently accompanied by chronic neck pain due to the close anatomical and neurophysiological connections between the jaw and the cervical spine.

The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness of two widely used physiotherapy interventions-a clinician-administered manual therapy protocol and a patient-conducted home exercise program-in individuals diagnosed with myogenic TMD and chronic neck pain. The main research question is to determine whether targeted manual therapy applied to both the temporomandibular and cervical regions yields superior improvements in pain, jaw and neck mobility, quality of life, and masseter muscle properties compared to the Rocabado 6x6 home exercise program alone.

1. A total of 34 participants aged 18-45 years with myogenic TMD and chronic neck pain will be randomly allocated into two equal groups:

Manual Therapy Group: Participants receive 6 individual treatment sessions (3 days per week for 2 weeks) consisting of soft tissue mobilization, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and joint mobilization techniques applied to the jaw and neck regions. 2. Exercise Group: Participants perform the standardized Rocabado 6x6 home exercise program 3 days per week for 2 weeks, with adherence monitored through daily exercise diaries.

All participants undergo comprehensive assessments at baseline and immediately following the 2-week intervention. Evaluated parameters include jaw and neck pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), cervical and mandibular range of motion, cervical joint position sense, jaw proprioception, facial asymmetry, bruxism, TMD severity, movement-related fear (kinesiophobia), and quality of life. In addition, masseter muscle thickness and elasticity are objectively assessed using ultrasound imaging and elastography.

The findings of this trial aim to provide healthcare professionals with high-level evidence regarding effective, targeted physiotherapy strategies for managing myogenic TMD co-occurring with cervical pain.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Presence of TMJ pain at rest,

TMJ pain persisting for at least 3 months,

Neck pain persisting for at least 3 months,

Willingness to participate in the study.

Disqualifiers

Any orthopedic and/or neurological condition that would preclude the assessments,

Cardiac history or surgery severe enough to preclude exercise,

Diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder,

Any condition precluding assessment or communication,

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Manual Therapy Protocol

    Procedure/Surgery

    Clinician-administered targeted manual therapy protocol applied to both the temporomandibular joint and cervical spine regions. The treatment includes soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and joint mobilization techniques. Administered in 6 individual treatment sessions over 2 weeks (3 sessions per week).

  • Rocabado 6x6 Home Exercise Program

    Other intervention

    Standardized patient-conducted Rocabado 6x6 home exercise program focusing on mandibular and cervical posture, mobility, and muscular control. Performed 3 days per week for 2 weeks. Patient adherence and compliance are tracked using daily exercise logbooks.

Treatment groups

34 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Manual Therapy GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Rocabado Home Exercise GroupActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Temporomandibular Joint Pain Intensity at Rest, During Activity, and During Chewing Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Time frame
Baseline and Week 2, immediately post-treatment
2

Title: Neck Pain Intensity Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Time frame
Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment

Secondary outcomes

1

Cervical Spine Active Range of Motion Assessed by Baseline CROM Deluxe Device.

Time frame
Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatmen
2

Cervical Joint Position Error Assessed by Baseline CROM Deluxe Device

Time frame
Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatmen
3

Mandibular Range of Motion Assessed by Digital Caliper

Time frame
Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment
4

Jaw Proprioception Assessed by Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus (AMEDA) Protocol.

Time frame
Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment

Other outcomes

Locations

This trial has no locations.

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Pamukkale University

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: