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Forward Head Posture and Myogenic TMD Association in Smartphone Overuse

Correlation Between Forward Head Posture And Myogenic Temporomandibular Disorder In Addicted Smartphone Users

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06065826
Enrollment
46
Registered
2023-10-04
Start date
2023-10-17
Completion date
2023-12-15
Last updated
2024-02-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Temporomandibular Disorder

Keywords

forward head posture, smartphone

Brief summary

The goal of this observational study is to determine the correlation between forward head posture and myogenic temporomandibular disorder, pain pressure threshold and endurance of masticatory and neck muscles in addicted smart phone users. The main question it aims to answer is: • What is the correlation between forward head posture and myogenic temporomandibular disorder, pain pressure threshold and endurance of masticatory and neck muscles in addicted smart phone users?

Detailed description

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical spine are closely related to each other due to their anatomical, mechanical and neurophysiological relationships. That's why pain and dysfunction in the cervical spine can be observed in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) who may suffer from clinical problems in the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint and other associated structures. Millions of people worldwide use their smartphone devices excessively. Prevalence of smartphone addiction among Egyptian university students was 62.4% revealing that females had a higher addiction than men. This excessive use where subjects downwardly flex their neck to enable them to look at the screen, affects head and neck postures leading to forward head posture (FHP) which consequently alters the position of the mandible along with its functions, resulting in an increase tension in the masticatory muscles causing TMD. Addicted smartphone users contribute to changes in craniocervical region which led to myogenic TMD in young teenagers. Pain, tenderness in masticatory muscles and cervical muscle endurance are common clinical findings in patients with TMD; where muscle tenderness is reduced and cervical muscle endurance was found to have a shorter duration holding time when performing neck extensor endurance test due to higher fatigability of neck extensor muscles.

Interventions

OTHERAssessment

All subjects will be assessed for FHP by taking a lateral view picture to calculate the CVA using the Kinovea software. Each subject with FHP will be examined for myofascial trigger points done by the therapist finger to palpate bilaterally on tender nodules in masticatory and neck muscles. Then using a pressure algometer, the PPT value will be scored for each trigger in each muscle bilaterally. Masticatory muscle endurance will be measured by asking the subject to bite on load sensor for as long as the subject can until exhaustion. Using a stopwatch, the time will be recorded in seconds. Using the craniocervical extension endurance test, the subject will lie prone with their head unsupported and with a bubble inclinometer attached to their head. Using a stopwatch, time in seconds will be recorded to test how long the subject can sustain the neck in neutral position. Finally, a smartphone addiction scale will be answered by the subject to identify how much they are addicted to its use.

Sponsors

Doha Hany Mohamed Labib
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Subject's age range from 18 - 40 years. 2. Both males and females will be recruited. 3. Subjects diagnosed as myogenic TMD according to the presence of trigger points in masseter, temporalis, upper trapezius and C5-C6 articular pillars according to the myofascial diagnostic criteria that includes a taut band and hypersensitive spot 4. All subjects are heavy smartphones users, using the SAS-SV, the cuffof value for males is 31 and for females is 33. 5. All subjects will have forward head posture assessed by CVA less than 49.9 degrees.

Exclusion criteria

1. History of head, neck or TMJ trauma 2. Patients who underwent orthodontic treatment 3. Congenital, or acquired postural deformity 4. No previous neck or spinal or TMJ surgery 5. Subjects who are on anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs for pain

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
pressure pain threshold5 mintuesFor the masticatory muscles, the subject will be sitting and the therapist will place the pressure algometer on the belly of the masseter and temporalis muscles. A gradual pressure will be applied until the subject experiences pain. The value displayed on the device will be recorded. This will be repeated 3 times on each side. For the upper trapezius muscles, subject will be seated. Using the algometer, a pressure will be applied on midpoint of the trapezius. Then subject will lie prone, to apply pressure by the algometer on a point 1 cm laterally to the midpoint between C6 and C5 spinous processes. A value will be recorded when subject feels pain. This will be repeated 3 times on each side.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
muscle endurance10 minutesTo assess masticatory muscles, subject will sit in an upright position and will bite on the first molar at maximum voluntary contraction until exhaustion on an I load mini bite load cell. Using a stopwatch, time in seconds will be recorded for both sides. long maintenance time means good endurance.Test will be terminated when any pain or discomfort is felt in the masticatory muscles.Craniocervical extension endurance test will assess neck extensors endurance. Subject will lie prone on a plinth with the head and neck unsupported and a bubble inclinometer will be fixed on the head using a strap. Subject will be asked to sustain a neutral position for as long as possible and time in seconds will be recorded. The test will be terminated if pain is felt in the neck or if the head failed to maintain its neutral position or if it moved more than 5 degrees shown by inclinometer.
smartphone addiction scale short version2 minutesSmartphone addiction scale - short version (SAS-SV) is a screening tool to identify individuals that are dependent on smartphone use. Maximum score is 60 and the minimum is 10. The cut off value of smartphone addiction use differ by gender, in males it is 31 and in females it is 33. higher score means patient were addicted on the smartphones.

Countries

Egypt

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026