Neck Exercises for TMJ Dysfunction

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen bySusan Armijo-Olivo, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This trial tests if specific neck exercises with visual feedback can help women with chronic jaw pain. The exercises aim to improve muscle control and reduce pain by potentially reversing brain changes linked to chronic pain. The study will measure pain levels, brain changes, and muscle function before and after the exercise program.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for women aged 18-60 with chronic muscle pain in the jaw, diagnosed as TMD. They must have had this pain for at least 3 months and a moderate to severe pain level. Excluded are those with certain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psychiatric disorders, abnormal neurological exams, MRI contraindications (like metal implants), substance abuse history, recent exercise therapy or electrotherapy experience, and pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a woman aged 18-60 with diagnosed muscle pain in my jaw or face.

I have had jaw muscle pain for at least 3 months.

I have long-term jaw muscle pain not caused by recent injury, infection, or inflammation.

+1 more

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or planning a pregnancy

I have a diagnosed psychiatric condition like depression or schizophrenia.

I have undergone electrotherapy before.

+6 more

Participant Groups

The study tests if neck exercises can help women with TMD by reducing pain and improving jaw function. It involves comparing motor control training using visual feedback against a placebo (inactive treatment). Participants will be randomly assigned to either the active exercise group or the placebo group and tracked over time to see changes in their condition.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: ExercisesExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Neck flexors Training: Each patient will initially perform cranio-cervical flexion to sequentially reach 5 pressure targets in 2 mmHg increments from a baseline of 20 mmHg to the final level of 30 mmHg. For each target level, the contraction duration will be increased to 10 s, and the participant trained to perform 10 repetitions with brief rest periods between each contraction. Once one set of 10 repetitions of 10 s is achieved at one target level, the exercise will be progressed to train at the next target level up to the final target. Neck extensors training: Patients will perform cranio-cervical extension and upper cervical rotation in a prone on elbows position while maintaining the cervical spine in a neutral position, progressing to a 4-pt kneeling position.

Group II: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention

The placebo group will receive placebo TENS (switched-off TENS apparatus with no perceptible stimulation). Four electrodes, 50 x 35 mm, will be placed on the neck muscles. The participant will be informed that this therapy is called a "subthreshold current" and they might not be able to feel any sensation underneath the electrodes during the treatment. The placebo treatment will be for 30 min twice a week for 8 weeks, as for the intervention group.