Kaltenborn Versus Active Release on Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

NCT07151469 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/005945
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 115
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a term describing musculoskeletal conditions of the face, jaw and temporal regions. TMD is frequently associated with pain and/or dysfunction such as impaired jaw function, pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles and/or related structures, and associated headaches. The etiology of TMD is multifactorial and complex. It is known that one cause of TMD symptom development is treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). The main treatment modalities for HNC include radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy and surgical intervention, as either a single therapy or a combination therapy. In the head and neck region, the anatomical structures are necessary for essential functions such as speech, swallowing, breathing, smell, and taste. The treatment of head and neck tumors may frequently impair some of these functions, which may result in pain, oral dysfunction, and impaired health-related quality of life.

Conditions

Head and Neck Cancer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain pressure threshold

  The pain pressure threshold over the temporalis and masseter muscles will be assessed using an algometry with a 1 cm2 probe tip.lower thresholds indicating increased tenderness and sensitivity

  at baseline and at 8 weeks

• Maximal interincisal opening

  The stainless steel vernier caliper, which has two arms-one fixed and one movable-connected by a calibrated scale, showed exceptional reliability for measuring mouth opening.Millimeters were used to measure the separation between the incisal edges of the upper and lower incisor teeth

  at baseline and at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Functional disability

  at baseline and at 8 weeks

• Quality of life (Oral health Impact Profile

  at baseline and at 8 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Kaltenborn mobilization

EXPERIMENTAL

A certified therapist administered TMJ KM in the following way. The therapist stood behind the seated patient, placing their palms on both sides of the patient's head, with the thumbs over the zygomatic arches, to stabilize the head.

Other: Kaltenborn mobilization

active release technique

EXPERIMENTAL

This deep tissue therapy technique is primarily used to break up adhesions and scar tissue on the surrounding muscle and ligaments. However, this technique has been proven to be a very effective method for treating TMD

Other: active release technique

control

NO INTERVENTION

No intervention

Interventions

Kaltenborn mobilization OTHER

The therapist applies gentle traction to the mandible, maintained for approximately 20 to 30 seconds, to create space in the joint. This is done by pulling the jaw downward and slightly forward, which can help alleviate pressure and pain. This hand placement allowed the therapist to apply transverse force across the mandible as necessary, while at the same time allowing an anterior-inferior gliding force to the mandible on the side of restriction, while also controlling the unrestricted side inhibiting any excessive mandibular forward gliding with the other hand. The mobilization is then initiated with Grade I, which involves small-amplitude movements performed at the beginning of the range of joint play to reduce pain and muscle guarding. This is followed by Grade II mobilization, which consists of larger amplitude movements within the mid-range of joint play to enhance joint mobility and decrease pain without reaching the joint's full resistance barrier

Kaltenborn mobilization

active release technique OTHER

This deep tissue therapy technique is primarily used to break up adhesions and scar tissue on the surrounding muscle and ligaments. However, this technique has been proven to be a very effective method for treating TMD.While there are several muscles connected with the movement of the TMJ, it is thought that the major players are the digastricus, masseter, and lateral pterygoid muscles

active release technique

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• An experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon will diagnose patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (myofascial pain, trismus and limitation of ROM) after head and neck cancer, patients.
• Patients with 20 to 60 years old.
• months after ending radiotherapy.

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with implants.
• Current metastasis.
• Continuing radiotherapy.
• Pregnant females.
• Sensitivity to phototherapy.
• Bell's palsy.
• Subjects with disk displacement, arthralgia or osteoarthritis at TMJ.
• Subjects who received analgesics or antidepressants.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• MTI University: lead

Study Sites (1)

faculty of physical therapy ,Cairo University

Cairo, 3753450, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Head and Neck Neoplasms

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assisstant professor

Model Details: RCT

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2025
• First Posted: September 3, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 10, 2026
• Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

EG (1)