Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Diagnostic Concordance Between Physiotherapist and Surgeon

NCT07560917 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-12105
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Jaw disorders is the leading cause in facial pain, affecting many people in the world. Despite many patients finding relief from conservative treatment, many get referred to the surgeon for an evaluation. In order to improve access to care and reduce wait times, a new advanced practice physiotherapist-led triage model is being studied.

Conditions

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD); Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD); Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs); Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporo-mandibular Dysfunction

Keywords

TMD; Physiotherapy; Physical Therapy; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Diagnostic; TMJ; Temporomandibular Joint

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD)

  Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD)

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• 9-item Visit-Specific Satisfaction Questionnaire (VSQ-9)

  Day 1

Study Arms (1)

Physiotherapy Assessment

EXPERIMENTAL

Diagnostic Test: Physiotherapy assessment

Interventions

Physiotherapy assessment DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

This is a non-randomized study as each participant will undergo two independent clinical assessments: one performed by the advanced-practice physical therapist (APPT) and one by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) and/or resident under supervision. For logistical and feasibility reasons, the APPT will conduct the first assessment. After a brief rest period, the participant will be seen by the OMFS. Both clinicians will be blinded to each other's findings, and participants will be explicitly instructed not to share any information from the first assessment during the second.

Physiotherapy Assessment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Referred for new consultation at the MUHC TMJ clinic for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain or dysfunction
• Residents of the province of Quebec and benefiaries of provincial universal health insurance coverage (Régie de l'Assurance Maladie du Québec - RAMQ)
• Be able to understand and communicate in either French of English
• Be legally capable of providing informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presenting for a follow-up visit (i.e., not a new consultation)
• Have undergone TMJ surgery within the past six months
• Referred directly from a recognized orofacial pain dentist or oral medicine specialist
• Referred for acute TMJ trauma requiring urgent management (e.g., fractures, dislocations)
• Present with complex or multi-system pathology that could confound the diagnostic process and are not related to TMD

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre: lead

Study Sites (1)

Montreal General Hospital

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Muscular Diseases; Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Craniomandibular Disorders; Mandibular Diseases; Jaw Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Philip Lu

CONTACT

604-562-0028; philip.lu@mcgill.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 10, 2026
• First Posted: May 1, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)