Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT05851586

Physical Therapy Intervention in Dental Students

The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. Secondary aims will be to assess relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Quality of Life Signs and Symptoms Strength

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Midwestern University

Glendale, Arizona, 85308, United States

About this study

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain has been identified as a major concern among dental professionals. This can lead to decreased productivity, efficiency and quality of work along with higher costs for the medical system. The body region that is affected the most is the neck, followed by the back and shoulders.

Ergonomic assessments and interventions can identify the areas of concern with workplace set up, however, training the muscles to adapt to abnormal postures may be an effective way of increasing the resilience of the MSK system while decreasing MSK pain as well. Specifically, strength training and stretching has been well researched as a way to prevent and improve pain for neck pain, low back pain and shoulder pain. Physical therapists are well trained in prevention and treatment of injuries, including a wealth of knowledge regarding strength training and stretching for specific regions. The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength

Thus, the main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. The secondary aim will be to assess the relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults ages 18+
  • Current 2nd year university dental students

Exclusion criteria

  • Any type of musculoskeletal surgery in the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Supervised exercise + home exercise program

Procedure

The supervised exercise + home exercise program group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist. They will also be provided with two supervised exercise sessions per month delivered in a group setting in order to ensure proper performance of the home exercise programs.

Home exercise program only

Procedure

The home exercise program only group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist, without any supervised guidance on exercise performance.

Primary outcomes

  1. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)

    Time frame: Baseline

    PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.

  2. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)

    Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)

    PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.

  3. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)

    Time frame: 11 months

    PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.

  4. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline

    Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)

  5. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)

    Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)

  6. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: 11 months

    Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pec Minor Length Test

    Time frame: Baseline, intervention conclusion (7 months), and 4 month follow up prior to beginning clinical rotations.

    Supine measurement in centimeters from table

  2. Pec Minor Length Test

    Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)

    Supine measurement in centimeters from table

  3. Pec Minor Length Test

    Time frame: 11 months

    Supine measurement in centimeters from table

  4. Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test

    Time frame: Baseline

    Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.

  5. Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test

    Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)

    Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.

  6. Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test

    Time frame: 11 months

    Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.

  7. Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test

    Time frame: Baseline

    Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.

  8. Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test

    Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)

    Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.

  9. Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test

    Time frame: 11 months

    Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.

  10. Cervical Flexor Endurance Test

    Time frame: Baseline

    Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.

  11. Cervical Flexor Endurance Test

    Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)

    Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.

  12. Cervical Flexor Endurance Test

    Time frame: 11 months

    Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Joshua Subialka

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Intervention in Pre-Clinical Dental Students

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
May 9, 2023
Registry last updated
Sep 30, 2025

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.