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Effectiveness of the Fascial Distortion Model on the Cervical Spine in Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorder

Effectiveness of Manual Therapy Based on the Fascial Distortion Model on the Cervical Spine in Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorder

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06186817
Enrollment
51
Registered
2024-01-02
Start date
2023-12-17
Completion date
2025-01-02
Last updated
2025-03-13

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

Conditions

Temporomandibular Disorder, Temporomandibular Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, Manual Therapy, Core Stabilization Exercise Therapy

Keywords

Temporomandibular Disorders, Fascial Distortion Model, Core Stabilization Training, Head Posture, Neck Pain, Manual Therapy

Brief summary

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to investigate the effectiveness of Manual Therapy Based on the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) on the cervical spine by comparing it with Core Stabilization Training (CST) or Control in individuals with temporomandibular disorders. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is the effectiveness of the addition of FDM-based Manual Therapy to conventional therapy different from the addition of CST or control? Is the effectiveness of the addition of CST to conventional therapy different from the addition of FDM or control? All participants in the intervention groups will be given eight-week conventional therapy (Rocabado Exercises and Patient Education) in addition to FDM-based Manual Therapy or CST. Participants in the control group will not be given any therapy during the study. Neck pain intensity, hand grip strength, head posture, cervical muscle performance, cervical range of motion (function), disability, and quality of life will be assessed.

Detailed description

Interventions are needed to address neck pain intensity, hand grip strength, head posture, cervical muscle performance, cervical range of motion (function), disability, and quality of life in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This study aims to examine the effectiveness of Fascial Distortion Model-based Manual Therapy compared to Core Stabilization Training or Control in individuals with TMD over an 8-week period. Individuals with TMD will be randomized into Group 1 (Fascial Distortion Model-based Manual Therapy, Rocabado Exercises, and Patient Education), Group 2 (Core Stabilization Training, Rocabado Exercises, and Patient Education), or Group 3 (Control). Rocabado Exercises and Patient Education will be implemented as a home program for 8 weeks, while Fascial Distortion Model-based Manual Therapy and Core Stabilization Training will be conducted once a week in a clinical setting. Neck pain intensity will be assessed using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (Revised) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Hand grip strength and head posture will be assessed using a hand dynamometer and lateral photography, respectively. The Functional Strength Testing of the Cervical Spine and cervical range of motions will be used to assess cervical muscle performance and function, respectively. Disability and quality of life will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index and the Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach-Biopsychosocial Questionnaire. All outcomes will be measured at baseline and end of the study, while neck pain intensity will also undergo intermediate assessments (2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks).

Interventions

The following techniques were used on the cranial and cervical areas during therapy: Trigger band technique, herniated trigger point technique, continuum technique, folding technique, cylinder technique, and tectonic technique.

Resting position of the tongue, rotational control of temporomandibular joint, rhythmic stabilization, axial extension of the neck, shoulder posture, and stabilized head flexion

BEHAVIORALPatient Education

Participants are instructed to perform some behaviors while avoiding others based on the etiology of temporomandibular disorders.

Week 1st (1 x 10 reps): Supine deep cervical activation, supine deep lumbar activation, prone deep cervical activation, prone deep lumbar activation, supine combined deep cervical and lumbar activation, and prone combined deep cervical and lumbar activation; Week 2nd (1 x 10 reps): Arm openings, hundreds 1, one leg stretch 1, double leg stretch 1, shoulder bridge, breaststroke, leg pull prone prep 1; Week 3rd (1 x 10 reps): Arm openings, hundreds 2, one leg stretch 2, double leg stretch 2, shoulder bridge, breaststroke, leg pull prone prep 2; Week 4th (1 x 10 reps): Arm openings, hundreds 2, one leg stretch 2, double leg stretch 3, shoulder bridge, breaststroke, leg pull prone prep 2; Week 5th to 8th (with Resistance Band; 1 x 10 reps): Arm openings, shoulder bridge, swan dive, scapula isolations, plough, biceps curl, roll up, roll up with biceps, roll up with rowing, seated spine twist, swimming in kneeling, one leg kick in kneeling and diamond press in standing

Sponsors

Karabuk University
CollaboratorOTHER
Hacettepe University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Having a temporomandibular joint complaint that has persisted for three months * Being diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Axis I * Comprehension and interest in responding to assessment questions

Exclusion criteria

* Having a systemic condition (neurological, rheumatological, oncological, etc.) that could affect the temporomandibular joint and/or interfere with the evaluation * History of any trauma that may have affected cranial, cervical, or facial region * Having undergone any surgical intervention in cranial, cervical, or facial regions in the previous six months * Receiving any surgical treatment, medical treatment, or physiotherapy for temporomandibular disorder in the last month * Having received radiotherapy in the cranial or cervical region * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Exercise for head posture for the last month

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cervical active range of motionFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksDijital inclinometric measurements. Flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexions and right and left rotations.
Present neck pain intensity (ordinal)Baseline, 2nd week, 4th week, 6th week and 8th weekPresent pain intensity scale of McGill Pain Questionnaire. Minimum and maximum values are 0 and 5 points, respectively. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Neck pain intensity at last seven days based on Numeric Pain Rating ScaleBaseline, 2nd week, 4th week, 6th week and 8th weekNumeric Pain Rating Scale. Minimum and maximum values are 0 and 10 points, respectively. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Eye-Tragus-Horizontal Angle on lateral photography of head postureFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe angle between the line connecting the midpoint of the lateral corner of the eye to the tragus of ear and the horizontal line emerging from the tragus level. It refers to the cranial rotation angle
Pogonion-Tragus-C7 Angle on lateral photography of head postureFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe angle between the line connecting the pogonion (the most protruding point on the front of the mandible) to the tragus and the line connecting the tragus to the C7 vertebra
Tragus-C7-Horizontal Angle on lateral photography of head postureFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe angle between the line connecting the tragus to the C7 vertebra and the horizontal line emerging from the C7 vertebra level. It refers to the neck inclination angle
Tragus-C7-Shoulder Angle on lateral photography of head postureFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe angle between the line connecting the acromion to the C7 vertebra and the line connecting the C7 vertebra to the tragus. It refers to the sum of the tragus-C7-horizontal angle and the shoulder-C7-horizontal angle; Shoulder-C7-Horizontal Angle (5): The angle between the line connecting the acromion to the C7 vertebra and the horizontal line emerging from the C7 vertebra level. It refers to the angle of the shoulder.
Shoulder-C7-Horizontal Angle on lateral photography of head postureFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe angle between the line connecting the acromion to the C7 vertebra and the horizontal line emerging from the C7 vertebra level. It refers to the angle of the shoulder.
Disability based on Neck Disability IndexFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksNeck Disability Index. Minimum and maximum values are 0 and 5 points, respectively. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Quality of Life based on Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach-Biopsychosocial QuestionnaireFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksCognitive Exercise Therapy Approach-Biopsychosocial Questionnaire. Minimum and maximum values are 0 and 4 points, respectively. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Chronic neck pain intensityBaseline, 2nd week, 4th week, 6th week and 8th weekGraded Chronic Pain Scale (Revised). Scoring: Grade 1=mild, Grade 2=bothersome, Grade 3=high impact chronic pain. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Neck pain intensity at last seven days based on Short-Form McGill Pain QuestionnaireBaseline, 2nd week, 4th week, 6th week and 8th weekShort-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Minimum and maximum values are 0 and 3 points, respectively. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Present neck pain intensityBaseline, 2nd week, 4th week, 6th week and 8th weekVisual Analog Scale. Minimum and maximum values are 0 and 10 cm, respectively. Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cervical muscle performanceFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksThe Functional Strength Testing of the Cervical Spine was used to evaluate the cervical muscle performance. This is a test that functionally evaluates cervical muscle strength. Results of this test are assessed as functional, functionally fair, functionally poor, and nonfunctional. Six-to-eight repetitions for the flexion test and 20-25 s holding time for the other tests indicate that the test result is functional. Three-to-five repetitions for the flexion test and 10-19 s holding time for the other tests indicate that the test result is functionally fair. One-to-two repetitions for the flexion test and 1-9 s holding time for the other tests indicate that the test result is functionally poor. Zero repetition for the flexion test and 0 s holding time for the other tests indicate that the test result is nonfunctional. Each test was terminated at onset of pain, and the relevant value was recorded.
Hand grip strengthFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeksAn hand dynamometer will be used to measure grip strength. Two measurements will taken with a 30-second rest between each trial, and the average of the three measurements will be recorded.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

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