Cervical Spine Thrust Joint Manipulation for Temporomandibular Disorder

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Temporomandibular Disorder

In brief

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common and costly problem that often leads to chronic pain or dysfunction. There is moderate evidence to support physical therapy (PT) interventions for individuals with TMD, yet they continue to be an underserved population. A known relationship between TMD and the cervical spine exists with some evidence to support the use of cervical interventions for TMD. Cervical spine thrust joint manipulation (TJM) is an effective PT intervention that has been explored in a limited fashion for this population. The purpose of this trial is to determine the immediate and short term (1 and 4 week) effects of cervical TJM delivered by a physical therapist on pain, dysfunction, and perception of change in persons with a primary complaint of TMD. The hypothesis is that all participants will improve, and those in the cervical TJM group may have a greater degree of improvement. Design: Participants will be randomized to one of two groups and all will receive physical therapy. Forty-two willing participants, age 18-65 with TMD will complete the informed consent process and screening for eligibility before being admitted. Participants will receive a combined treatment of 1) behavioral education, a home exercise program, soft tissue mobilization, and cervical spine TJM or 2) behavioral education, a home exercise program, soft tissue mobilization, and sham manipulation. Participants will receive 4 treatments over a period of 4 weeks. Significance: The results of this clinical trial will provide evidence relative to the impact of cervical spine TJM in the treatment of persons with TMD. Determining the effectiveness of cervical spine TJM included with a combined treatment approach has clinical implication for physical therapists and the patients they serve.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03300297

Run by

Bradley University

People needed

50

Starts

2017-10-18

Expected to finish

2018-12-06

Last updated by the study team

2019-02-18

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18-65 y/o
• primary complaint of TMD pain
• positive TMD screen
• proficiency in English language
• availability to attend 4 sessions
• minimum level of disability (NPRS 2 or greater)
• minimum level of disability (pain free mouth opening 50 mm or less).

You may not qualify if…

• traumatic onset of symptoms
• whiplash in the last 6 weeks
• prior neck surgery
• medical red flags suggestive on on-musculoskeletal origin of pain, systemic disease, or neurological disease
• contraindications to thrust joint manipulation (TJM),
• previous TJM in the last 3 months
• Worker's compensation
• pending litigation regarding pain or injury.

Where it is running

• Rock Valley Physical Therapy — Peoria, Illinois, United States
• Rock Valley Physical Therapy — Washington, Illinois, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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