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NCT Number: NCT06707467

Evaluation of Postural Exercises in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders

Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with internal temporomandibular derangement will be included in the study and divided into three groups. All patients will be treated with a proven-effective occlusal splint. The first group will receive only occlusal splint therapy and will serve as the control group. The second group will receive occlusal splint therapy combined with Rocabado exercises, while the third group will receive occlusal splint therapy combined with postural exercises.

Before the treatment process, all patients will complete the Temporomandibular Disorders Diagnostic Criteria (TMD-DC) form. Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pain thresholds will be assessed using an algometer, and the following evaluations will be performed: Cervical Posture Assessment (Craniovertebral Angle with Goniometer)-Cervical Range of Motion Assessment (C-ROM)-Cervical Deep Flexor Muscle Endurance Test-Neck Disability Assessment (NDI - Neck Disability Index)-Psychiatric Assessment (HADS - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).

After two months, patients will be recalled, and all tests will be repeated. The effectiveness of the three treatment protocols will then be evaluated.

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Key information

Conditions

Occlusal Splints Craniomandibular Disorders Jaw Diseases Joint Diseases Mandibular Diseases Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Being diagnosed with internal temporomandibular disarrangement
  • aged 18 years or older
  • Willingness to participate in the study
  • Ability to speak and understand Turkish, with no communication difficulties severe enough to impede understanding of the exercises

Exclusion criteria

  • History of acute trauma in the TMJ or surrounding area
  • TMJ dysfunction caused by a neurological condition
  • History of surgical/invasive procedures or treatments on the TMJ
  • Presence of infection or tumoral structures within intraoral structures
  • History of tooth loss or use of dental prostheses
  • History of surgical procedures in the cervical region

Treatment and study plan

Occlusal splint

Other

nineteen patients diagnosed with internal temporomandibular derangement will receive occlusal splint therapy, a treatment method with proven effectiveness.

occlusal splints combined with rocabado exercise

Other

Nineteen patients diagnosed with internal temporomandibular derangement will be provided with Rocabado exercises in addition to the proven-effective treatment method of occlusal splint therapy. This approach aims to evaluate whether Rocabado exercises have a positive effect on the treatment process.

occlusal splint combined with posture exercise

Other

Nineteen patients diagnosed with internal temporomandibular derangement will be provided with posture exercises in addition to the proven-effective treatment method of occlusal splint therapy. This approach aims to evaluate whether posture exercises have a positive effect on the treatment process.

Primary outcomes

  1. Investigation of the Effect of Postural Exercises and Rocabado Exercises on Pain Reduction

    Time frame: 2 months

    Three different treatment protocols will be applied to patients with internal temporomandibular derangement, and the results obtained after a 2-month treatment period will be compared to determine which method is the most effective. To evaluate treatment outcomes, the patients' pre- and post-treatment Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores will be assessed, with a decrease in the mean VAS score indicating a reduction in pain. Additionally, the pain threshold in various facial regions will be measured with an algometer before and after treatment to identify which treatment protocol is more effective in reducing pain. By combining both outcomes, the most effective method for pain reduction will be determined.

  2. Investigation of the Effect of Postural Exercises and Rocabado Exercises on Physiological Movements

    Time frame: 2 months

    Changes in cervical range of motion (C-ROM) and the craniovertebral angle will also be evaluated to determine the impact of the treatment methods on these parameters. In this way, the method that is more effective in improving physiological movements will be identified.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Investigation of the Secondary Effects of Postural Exercises and Rocabado Exercises on Patient's Psychology

    Time frame: 2 months

    The effect of the treatment protocols applied to the three different groups on the general psychology of the patients will be measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In this test, a higher score indicates a higher level of depressive symptoms, and a successful treatment is expected to result in a decrease in the test score.

  2. Investigation of the Effect of Postural Exercises and Rocabado Exercises on the Mobility of the Neck and Jaw

    Time frame: 2 month

    The patient's neck movements will be assessed, and the range of jaw movements will be evaluated. The study aims to identify which treatment protocol leads to the most significant improvement in jaw and neck mobility.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul University

Other

Collaborators

  • Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University

Registry information

Official study title

Determination of the Effectiveness of Postural Exercises Combined With Occlusal Splint Therapy in Internal Temporomandibular Derangements

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 27, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 21, 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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