Effect of Osteopathic Technique on Maximum Mouth Opening Width, Masseter Muscle Tone and Stiffness

NCT07670832 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: OST1-021
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of compression and decompression thecnique on the temporomandibular joint on maximum mouth opening width, masseter muscle tone and stiffness in asymptomatic adults, compared with a control condition consisting of cranial listening touch without therapeutic intent. Evaluations will be conducted immediately after the intervention and one week later.

Conditions

Asymptomatic Condition

Keywords

Masseter; Maximum Mouth opening Width; muscle tone; TMJ; Temporomandibular joint; stiffness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Maximum Mouth Opening Width

  For the assessment of the maximum mouth opening width was measured the distance between the upper and lower central incisors was measured in millimeters (mm) using a universal caliper.

  Immediately after the intervention. Since the protocol has two interventions, the total time frame is one week.

• Masseter Muscle Tone

  The assessment of masseter muscle tone was performed using Myoton (Myoton AS Talin, Estonia), a non-invasive approach to comprehensively evaluate the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles. Muscle tone is calculated using the maximum frequency of oscillation and tissue deformation detected by the transducer (Hz).

  Immediately after the intervention. Since the protocol has two interventions, the total time frame is one week.

• Masseter muscle stiffness

  The assessment of masseter muscle stiffness was performed using Myoton (Myoton AS Talin, Estonia), a non-invasive approach to comprehensively evaluate the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles. Muscle stiffness is calculated based on equations calculated from the acceleration of the testing probe during oscillations (N/m).

  Immediately after the intervention. Since the protocol has two interventions, the total time frame is one week.

Study Arms (2)

Control group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

In the control group, cranial listening touch without therapeutic intent using the par la voute hold was performed during 30 seconds.

Other: Placebo Technique

Temporomandibular Compression and Decompression Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention consisted of two phases: The first one consisting in mandibular compression, applied for 30 seconds. The second phase is applied right after, consisting in mandibular decompression, applied for 30 seconds.

Other: Osteopathic Intervention Techniques

Interventions

Osteopathic Intervention Techniques OTHER

The temporomandibular joint compression and decompression technique consists of, with the patient in the supine position and the investigator at the head, hooking the middle fingers beneath the angles of the mandible while the basal joints cover the joints and the palms cover the ears and temporal regions. First, a light cranially-directed pressure is applied to the mandible for 30 seconds to release restrictions and stretch the intracranial membrane. Subsequently, the vector is reversed, and a gentle caudally-directed traction is applied for another 30 seconds to free the joint space."

Temporomandibular Compression and Decompression Technique

Placebo Technique OTHER

Cranial listening touch without therapeutic intent consists of, with the patient in the supine position and the investigator at the head of the bed, the investigator placing bilateral contacts on the patient's skull with the first fingers in contact with each other, without contacting the skull, the second fingers on the greater wing of the sphenoid, the third fingers anterior to the ear, the fourth fingers posterior to the ear, and the fifth fingers in contact with the squamous part of the occipital bone. In addition, after placing the contacts, the investigator asks the patient not to contact the maxillary teeth with the mandibular teeth.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Asymptomatic adults that signed the informed consent
• Functional dentition
• Preserved masticatory function

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of inflammatory systemic disorders
• Diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders
• Diagnosis of respiratory disorders
• Diagnosis of central nervous system disorders
• Diagnosis of rheumatic disorders
• Visual disturbance affecting balance or proprioception

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto: lead

Study Sites (1)

Escola Superior de Saúde (E2S)

Porto, 4200-072, Portugal

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Oliveira-Campelo NM, Rubens-Rebelatto J, Marti N-Vallejo FJ, Alburquerque-Sendi N F, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C. The immediate effects of atlanto-occipital joint manipulation and suboccipital muscle inhibition technique on active mouth opening and pressure pain sensitivity over latent myofascial trigger points in the masticatory muscles. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010 May;40(5):310-7. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2010.3257.

  PMID: 20436241 BACKGROUND

• Murphy MK, MacBarb RF, Wong ME, Athanasiou KA. Temporomandibular disorders: a review of etiology, clinical management, and tissue engineering strategies. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2013 Nov-Dec;28(6):e393-414. doi: 10.11607/jomi.te20.

  PMID: 24278954 BACKGROUND

• Goulet JP, Clark GT, Flack VF, Liu C. The reproducibility of muscle and joint tenderness detection methods and maximum mandibular movement measurement for the temporomandibular system. J Orofac Pain. 1998 Winter;12(1):17-26.

  PMID: 9656895 BACKGROUND

• Dimitroulis G. Temporomandibular disorders: a clinical update. BMJ. 1998 Jul 18;317(7152):190-4. doi: 10.1136/bmj.317.7152.190. No abstract available.

  PMID: 9665905 BACKGROUND

• Cuccia A, Caradonna C. The relationship between the stomatognathic system and body posture. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2009;64(1):61-6. doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322009000100011.

  PMID: 19142553 BACKGROUND

• Aird L, Samuel D, Stokes M. Quadriceps muscle tone, elasticity and stiffness in older males: reliability and symmetry using the MyotonPRO. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012 Sep-Oct;55(2):e31-9. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2012.03.005. Epub 2012 Apr 13.

  PMID: 22503549 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Asymptomatic Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Natália MO Campelo

  E2S

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Natália MO Campelo, PhD

CONTACT

+351 222 061 000; nmc@ess.ipp.pt

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Only the participants and the investigator who will test maximum mouth opening width, masseter muscle tone and stiffness will be masked.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor Teacher

Model Details: The study consists in 2 interventions, carried out with a one-week interval between each one.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 22, 2026
• First Posted: June 26, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PT (1)