Stroke
Conditions
Keywords
Jaw clenching, Gait
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of jaw clenching on gait and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke.
Detailed description
This randomized sham-controlled crossover study aims to investigate the immediate effects of jaw clenching on gait and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke. A minimum of 30 eligible patients will be included. Each participant will complete both the intervention and sham conditions in a randomized sequence.
Interventions
OTHERVoluntary Jaw Clenching
In this group, 1-cm-thick cotton rolls will be placed bilaterally on the occlusal surfaces, and patients will be instructed to perform maximal voluntary tooth clenching.
OTHERSham Cotton Roll Placement Without Clenching
In this group, 1-cm-thick cotton rolls will be placed bilaterally on the occlusal surfaces without any clenching instruction, and participants will be instructed to keep their jaw relaxed.
Sponsors
Bitlis Eren University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Stroke occurred at least 6 months prior to enrollment. * No cognitive or communication impairments that would interfere with participation. * Ability to stand independently for 20 seconds or more. * Ability to walk 10 meters independently, with or without walking aids or orthoses as needed. * Age between 18 and 75 years. * Lower extremity Brunnstrom stage of 4 or higher.
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of severe osteoarthritis in the lower extremities. * Diagnosis of cancer or diabetic neuropathy. * Presence of vestibular disorders. * Lower extremity ulceration or amputation. * History of vertigo. * Alcohol consumption within the past 24 hours. * Hemodynamic instability. * Stroke affecting the basilar artery or cerebellum (posterior circulation stroke). * Presence of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease. * Acute lower extremity injury within the past 6 weeks. * History of lower extremity surgery.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test | Baseline and immediately post-intervention for both experimental and sham conditions | Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test. Participants will be timed while rising from a chair, walking 3 meters, turning, walking back, and sitting down. Lower scores indicate better functional mobility. |
| 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) | Baseline and immediately post-intervention for both experimental and sham conditions | Gait speed will be assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test. Participants will be instructed to walk a 10-meter distance at a comfortable walking speed, and time will be recorded to calculate walking velocity. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
CONTACTMerve Tunçdemir, Asst. Prof.
CONTACTÖmer Dursun, Assoc. Prof.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMerve Tunçdemir
Bitlis Eren University
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORÖmer Dursun
Bitlis Eren University
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAhmet Burak Mavuş, M.Sc.
Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital
Outcome results
None listed