Myofascial Release Therapy for TMD Pain: A Randomized Trial

NCT05673642 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: E-10840098-772.02-6577
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

We aim to compare the effectiveness of MFR and exercise therapy on mobility and function by investigating the effectiveness of the Myofascial Release Technique (MFR), which we will apply to the muscles we choose related to the facial system connection in participants with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and low back pain.

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder; Low Back Pain; Myofascial Release

Keywords

TMJ Disorder, Myofascial Release, Low back pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Algometer

  Pressure algometer will be used for temporomandibular joint pain. It will be applied to the lower masseter muscles and anterior temporalis muscles bilaterally on the lateral pole of the algometer and the average of three applications in each region will be taken.

  5 minute

• Myotonometry

  It will be used to assess muscle tone differences. Myotonometry provides valid and reliable measurement of tissue stiffness. The measurement will be applied bilaterally to the masseter, temporalis, trapezius, erector spinal muscles, quadrates lumborum and TFL muscles.

  10 minute

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• DC-TMD Evoluation

  10 minute

• Oswestry Low Back Disability Survey

  10 minute

Study Arms (3)

Working group

EXPERIMENTAL

A total of 10 sessions will be applied myofascial release technique for 4 weeks, 3 times a week for the first 2 weeks, and 2 times a week for the next 2 weeks. Evaluations will be made at the beginning of the study and at the end of 4 weeks

Other: Myofascial Release Techniques

Exercise group

EXPERIMENTAL

The stretching exercises that we planned to give to the exercise group were planned for the muscles to which we will apply myofascial technique. Evaluations will be made at the beginning of the study and at the end of 4 weeks

Other: Myofascial Release Techniques

Control group

EXPERIMENTAL

No application will be made to the control group. Evaluations will be made at the beginning of the study and at the end of 4 weeks

Other: Myofascial Release Techniques

Interventions

Myofascial Release Techniques OTHER

Myofascial Release Technique (MFR), which we will apply to the muscles we choose related to the facial system connection

Also known as: Myofascial Exercise

Control group; Exercise group; Working group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Participants aged 18-50 years diagnosed with TMD
• Persons with a score of 20% or more on the Oswestry waist index, and
• People with low back pain for more than 3 months
• Persons with mechanical low back pain and lumbar disc herniation without neurological deficits will be included in the study.
• Persons with acute or chronic temporomandibular dysfunction will be included

You may not qualify if:

• Neurological problems,
• Presence of extruded and sequestered lumbar disc herniation
• Cardiovascular symptoms and circulation problems,
• Infection,
• Fibromyalgia, Acute arthritis conditions
• Those with spinal abnormalities,
• Fracture history, presence of dislocation / subluxation will be excluded

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Medipol University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Medipol University

Istanbul, 34820, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Senel Topaloglu E, Budak M, Atilgan E, Kurt H. Effect of myofascial release therapy applied to selective muscles on mobility and function in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction and co-occurring chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Aug 22;104(34):e44086. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000044086.

  PMID: 40859519 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Craniomandibular Disorders; Mandibular Diseases; Jaw Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Ebru Senel topaloglu, 1

  Istanbul Medipol University Turkey Istanbul

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This study was conducted as a single-blind randomized controlled trial, where participants were unaware of their group assignments. The care provider, investigator, and outcome assessor were also blinded to the group allocation to minimize assessment bias. The randomization process was conducted independently to ensure allocation concealment.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD student.

Model Details: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial with three distinct arms.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 21, 2022
• First Posted: January 6, 2023
• Study Start: December 23, 2022
• Primary Completion: January 25, 2023
• Study Completion: June 24, 2023
• Last Updated: June 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)