Comparison of the Effects of Different Massage Techniques in Individuals With Bruxism

NCT07567183 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IstanbulOkanUnive
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of occlusal splint therapy and different massage techniques on pain intensity and orofacial muscle tone and stiffness in individuals with possible sleep bruxism. A secondary aim is to evaluate the effects of these interventions on oral parafunctional behaviors, disability, and sleep quality.

Conditions

Bruxism

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  The VAS is a widely validated and reliable measurement tool developed to quantitatively assess an individual's perception of pain. It is typically designed as a straight line approximately 10 cm long; the left end of the line represents "no pain," and the right end represents "very severe/unbearable pain." Participants indicate the pain they feel by marking a point on the line as they see fit. The value obtained by measuring the marked point numerically expresses the individual's pain level. This scale was chosen for this study due to its ease of application, sensitivity, and widespread acceptance in clinical and research settings.

  Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention

• Analysis of Jaw Muscle Tone and Stiffness

  Using the Myoton Pro device, physical characteristics such as tone (F) and stiffness (S) of the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter muscles will be measured. These measurements will help determine the adaptations that bruxism creates in the soft tissues.

  Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention

• Oral Habits

  The 21-item Oral Habits Checklist (OHAC) will be used to assess participants' oral parafunctional behaviors. The questionnaire, which asks about the frequency of parafunctional habits such as teeth clenching, teeth grinding, nail biting, lip biting, cheek biting, pen chewing, and gum chewing in the past month, will be answered using a 4-point Likert scale.

  Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention

• Jaw Functional Restriction

  The 'Jaw Functional Restriction Scale-8' (CFRS) will be used for functional assessment. Individuals will be asked to determine their level of restriction for each of the 8 items on the scale within the last month. Individuals will be informed that on a 10 cm horizontal line, the number '0' represents 'no restriction' and the number '10' represents 'severe restriction'. The average of the individual's answers will be taken to calculate the functional restriction.

  Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention

• Sleep Quality

  The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to assess sleep quality. PSQI items are structured based on clinical observations of individuals with sleep disorders, existing sleep quality scales referenced in the literature, and 18-month clinical follow-up findings focusing on the PSQI.

  Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention

Study Arms (3)

Classical Massage Group (CM)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The classic massage treatment will be planned to include superficial and deep manual techniques targeting the facial and chewing muscles. Prior to the treatment, the individual will be positioned supine in a comfortable position. The massage protocol will include effleurage (superficial stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction (circular deep pressure), and gentle vibration techniques. The application will be performed bilaterally, targeting the masseter, temporalis, buccinator, and perioral muscle groups. Pressure intensity will be adjusted according to the individual's tolerance, avoiding pain provocation. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.

Other: Classic massage

Connective Tissue Massage Group (CMM)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Connective tissue massage will be planned to include reflex-activated manual techniques targeting the subcutaneous connective tissue in the face and mandibular region. The individual will be positioned supine, and the application will be performed using specific skin-tightening maneuvers that create gliding between the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The techniques will focus particularly on connective tissue areas around the masseter, temporalis, and mandibular ramus. During the application, slow and controlled maneuvers aimed at creating tension in the connective tissue rather than deep mechanical pressure will be preferred. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be applied twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.

Other: Connective tissue massage

Occlusal Splint Group (OS)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Individuals in the OS group will have an occlusal splint fitted by the dental department and will be provided with guidance on lifestyle changes to be considered in daily living activities. Following a clinical examination by the dentist, an impression will be taken of each volunteer's upper dental arch using irreversible hydrocolloid and used to prepare a maxillary Michigan type occlusal splint. Volunteers will be instructed to wear the splint while sleeping and the necessary adjustments will be made by the same dentist after two weeks.

Other: Occlusal Splint Group

Interventions

Connective tissue massage OTHER

Connective tissue massage will be planned to include reflex-activated manual techniques targeting the subcutaneous connective tissue in the face and mandibular region. The individual will be positioned supine, and the application will be performed using specific skin-tightening maneuvers that create gliding between the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The techniques will focus particularly on connective tissue areas around the masseter, temporalis, and mandibular ramus. During the application, slow and controlled maneuvers aimed at creating tension in the connective tissue rather than deep mechanical pressure will be preferred. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be applied twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.

Connective Tissue Massage Group (CMM)

Classic massage OTHER

The classic massage treatment will be planned to include superficial and deep manual techniques targeting the facial and chewing muscles. Prior to the treatment, the individual will be positioned supine in a comfortable position. The massage protocol will include effleurage (superficial stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction (circular deep pressure), and gentle vibration techniques. The application will be performed bilaterally, targeting the masseter, temporalis, buccinator, and perioral muscle groups. Pressure intensity will be adjusted according to the individual's tolerance, avoiding pain provocation. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.

Classical Massage Group (CM)

Occlusal Splint Group OTHER

Individuals in the OS group will have an occlusal splint fitted by the dental department and will be provided with guidance on lifestyle changes to be considered in daily living activities. Following a clinical examination by the dentist, an impression will be taken of each volunteer's upper dental arch using irreversible hydrocolloid and used to prepare a maxillary Michigan type occlusal splint. Volunteers will be instructed to wear the splint while sleeping and the necessary adjustments will be made by the same dentist after two weeks.

Occlusal Splint Group (OS)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Possible diagnosis of sleep bruxism,
• Reporting jaw or chewing muscle pain within the last 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• Having any orthopedic, neurological, or psychiatric diagnosis,
• Having systemic and/or degenerative disorders,
• Neurological or psychiatric disorders (excluding anxiety and depression),
• Using medications that affect sleep or motor behavior,
• Having arthrogenic or mixed temporomandibular disorders,
• Using an intraoral prosthesis,
• Having a history of direct trauma or previous surgery in the orofacial region,
• Using muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
• Using a removable prosthesis,
• Receiving any treatment for bruxism within the last 4 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Okan University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bruxism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Habits; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Kübra Kendal, PhD

CONTACT

+90 530-233-8078; kubra.kendal@okan.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants will be blind to groups, outcomes assessor will be blind to groups.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Model Details: Randomized controlled study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share