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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07677228

Telerehabilitation Versus Home-Based Jaw Exercises in Temporomandibular Disorder With Bruxism

This study looked at whether jaw exercises (the Rocabado exercise programme) work better when delivered through supervised online video sessions than when done at home with written instructions alone, in adults who have jaw-joint pain (temporomandibular disorder) together with teeth grinding (bruxism). Thirty adults were randomly placed into one of two groups. Both groups were taught the same exercises and asked to do them twice a day for four weeks. One group also took part in supervised video sessions three times a week, where a physiotherapist watched their exercises and gave feedback; the other group used printed exercise leaflets with weekly text-message reminders. The researchers measured jaw pain, how wide participants could open their mouth, jaw movement, stress, sleep quality and oral habits before treatment, after two weeks and after four weeks, to see which approach gave better results.

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Key information

Conditions

Temporomandibular Disorders, Bruxism Behavior Bruxism Craniomandibular Disorders Habits Jaw Diseases Joint Diseases Mandibular Diseases Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Tooth Diseases

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, Faculty of Dentistry

Nevşehir, Nevşehir Province, 50300, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This single-centre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University. Participants who met the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for myofascial temporomandibular disorder with concurrent bruxism were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated simple randomisation sequence. Allocation was concealed using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes that were opened only after enrolment. The outcome assessor was blinded to group allocation; participants were not blinded owing to the nature of the intervention. Both groups received identical initial face-to-face training in the Rocabado 6×6 exercise programme and were instructed to perform the exercises twice daily for four weeks. The telerehabilitation group additionally received supervised video sessions, whereas the comparator group followed the programme at home with printed materials and reminders only. Assessments were performed in person at baseline, at week 2 (mid-treatment) and at week 4 (post-treatment). The sample size was estimated using G*Power, and data were analysed with within-group and between-group statistical comparisons.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18-60 years
  • Diagnosis of myofascial temporomandibular disorder (TMD) with bruxism according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD)
  • Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score ≥ 3
  • No medical treatment for TMD in the preceding 6 months
  • Access to a smartphone with internet connectivity
  • Turkish literacy and communication ability

Exclusion criteria

  • Active orthodontic or splint treatment
  • History of temporomandibular joint surgery
  • Systemic inflammatory disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Major psychiatric disorders
  • Neurological deficits in the cervical region

Treatment and study plan

Telerehabilitation-based Rocabado exercises

Behavioral

Supervised Rocabado 6×6 exercise programme delivered through video sessions via WhatsApp three times per week, with real-time physiotherapist feedback on exercise performance and technique, performed in addition to twice-daily home Rocabado exercises for four weeks.

Home-based Rocabado exercises

Behavioral

Rocabado 6×6 exercise programme performed at home twice daily for four weeks, supported by printed exercise brochures and weekly SMS reminders, without supervised video sessions or physiotherapist feedback.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale)

    Time frame: Baseline, week 2 (mid-treatment) and week 4 (post-treatment)

    Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), scored from 0 to 10 cm, for morning pain, pain during chewing (mastication) and night pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain.

  2. Maximum mouth opening

    Time frame: Baseline, week 2 (mid-treatment) and week 4 (post-treatment)

    Maximum mouth opening measured in millimetres using a digital calliper (Mitutoyo, Japan); the mean of three consecutive measurements was recorded.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Temporomandibular joint range of motion

    Time frame: Baseline, week 2 (mid-treatment) and week 4 (post-treatment)

    Active and passive maximum mouth opening, right and left lateral movements, and protrusion measured in millimetres using a digital calliper (Mitutoyo, Japan).

  2. TMD severity (Fonseca Anamnestic Index)

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 (post-treatment)

    Severity of temporomandibular disorder assessed using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (0-100 points); higher scores indicate greater severity.

  3. Perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale)

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 (post-treatment)

    Perceived stress assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), scored from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate greater perceived stress.

  4. Sleep quality (Jenkins Sleep Scale)

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 (post-treatment)

    Sleep quality assessed using the Jenkins Sleep Scale, scored from 0 to 20; higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality.

  5. Oral parafunctional habits (Oral Behaviours Checklist)

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 (post-treatment)

    Oral parafunctional habits assessed using the Oral Behaviours Checklist (OBC), scored from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate more frequent oral parafunctional behaviours.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mehmet Turgut

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation-Based Rocabado Exercises Compared With Home-Based Rocabado Exercises in Patients With Myofascial Temporomandibular Dysfunction Accompanied by Bruxism: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Acronym: TELEROC

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jun 30, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 30, 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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