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NCT Number: NCT07670832

Effect of Osteopathic Technique on Maximum Mouth Opening Width, Masseter Muscle Tone and Stiffness

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of compression and decompression thecnique on the temporomandibular joint on maximum mouth opening width, masseter muscle tone and stiffness in asymptomatic adults, compared with a control condition consisting of cranial listening touch without therapeutic intent. Evaluations will be conducted immediately after the intervention and one week later.

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Key information

Conditions

Asymptomatic Condition Asymptomatic Diseases Disease Attributes Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Escola Superior de Saúde (E2S)

Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

About this study

The purpose of this study is to assess the Effect of Compression and Decompression Technique on the Temporomandibular Joint on masseter muscle tone and stiffness (always assessed on the right side). Muscle properties will be evaluated using the Myoton device (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia), a non-invasive instrument that measures biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles, such as stiffness and tone (the parameters used in the results).

In addition, maximum mouth-opening width will be assessed by measuring the distance between the upper and lower central incisors using a universal caliper, recorded in millimeters.

These outcomes will be compared with a control condition consisting of cranial listening touch without therapeutic intent .

The study will include asymptomatic adults without diagnoses of systemic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases , central nervous system disorders, or rheumatic pathologies. Additional exclusion criteria include: use of fixed orthodontic appliances within the past 3 months; visual impairment affecting balance or proprioception; history of maxillofacial surgery; trauma to the cranial or cervical region within the last 6 months ; ongoing pharmacological treatments that may interfere with muscle tone or pain perception (e.g., muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines) and third/fourth year osteopathy students.

Measurements of the tone/stiffness of the masseter muscle and maximum mouth opening width will conducted before, immediately after the intervention and one week later the study will be repeated in each participant.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Asymptomatic adults that signed the informed consent
  • Functional dentition
  • Preserved masticatory function

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of inflammatory systemic disorders
  • Diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders
  • Diagnosis of respiratory disorders
  • Diagnosis of central nervous system disorders
  • Diagnosis of rheumatic disorders
  • Visual disturbance affecting balance or proprioception

Treatment and study plan

Osteopathic Intervention Techniques

Other

The temporomandibular joint compression and decompression technique consists of, with the patient in the supine position and the investigator at the head, hooking the middle fingers beneath the angles of the mandible while the basal joints cover the joints and the palms cover the ears and temporal regions. First, a light cranially-directed pressure is applied to the mandible for 30 seconds to release restrictions and stretch the intracranial membrane. Subsequently, the vector is reversed, and a gentle caudally-directed traction is applied for another 30 seconds to free the joint space."

Placebo technique

Other

Cranial listening touch without therapeutic intent consists of, with the patient in the supine position and the investigator at the head of the bed, the investigator placing bilateral contacts on the patient's skull with the first fingers in contact with each other, without contacting the skull, the second fingers on the greater wing of the sphenoid, the third fingers anterior to the ear, the fourth fingers posterior to the ear, and the fifth fingers in contact with the squamous part of the occipital bone.

In addition, after placing the contacts, the investigator asks the patient not to contact the maxillary teeth with the mandibular teeth.

Primary outcomes

  1. Maximum Mouth Opening Width

    Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Since the protocol has two interventions, the total time frame is one week.

    For the assessment of the maximum mouth opening width was measured the distance between the upper and lower central incisors was measured in millimeters (mm) using a universal caliper.

  2. Masseter Muscle Tone

    Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Since the protocol has two interventions, the total time frame is one week.

    The assessment of masseter muscle tone was performed using Myoton (Myoton AS Talin, Estonia), a non-invasive approach to comprehensively evaluate the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles. Muscle tone is calculated using the maximum frequency of oscillation and tissue deformation detected by the transducer (Hz).

  3. Masseter muscle stiffness

    Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Since the protocol has two interventions, the total time frame is one week.

    The assessment of masseter muscle stiffness was performed using Myoton (Myoton AS Talin, Estonia), a non-invasive approach to comprehensively evaluate the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles. Muscle stiffness is calculated based on equations calculated from the acceleration of the testing probe during oscillations (N/m).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Natália MO Campelo, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+351 222 061 000

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Temporomandibular Joint Compression and Decompression Technique on Maximum Mouth Opening Width, Masseter Muscle Tone and Stiffness: A Randomized Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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