Effects of Cervical and Sacroiliac Mobilization Combined With Pilates on Bruxism

NCT07708259 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Yeditepe U-122
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigated the effects of adding cervical and sacroiliac mobilization to a Pilates-based exercise program on pain, perceived stress, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, jaw functional limitation, cervical range of motion, cervical joint position error, and sacroiliac joint screening findings in individuals with bruxism. Thirty-eight participants were randomly allocated to a Pilates-only group (n=19) or a Manual Therapy + Pilates group (n=19). Both groups completed an 8-week, twice-weekly Pilates protocol (16 sessions); the Manual Therapy + Pilates group additionally received cervical and sacroiliac mobilization.

Conditions

Bruxism

Keywords

manual therapy; Bruxism; Cervical Mobilization; Sacroiliac Joint; Pilates; Proprioception

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Pain Intensity (VAS)

  Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (0-10 cm), with higher scores indicating greater pain.

  Baseline and after 8-week intervention

• Perceived Stress (PSS-10)

  Perceived stress assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.

  Baseline and after 8-week intervention

• Pain Catastrophizing (PCS)

  Pain catastrophizing assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), with higher scores indicating greater catastrophizing.

  Baseline and after 8-week intervention

• Cervical Joint Position Error

  Cervical proprioception assessed via joint position error (flexion, extension, right/left rotation), with smaller error indicating better proprioceptive accuracy.

  Baseline and after 8-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Cervical Range of Motion

  Baseline and after 8-week intervention

• Kinesiophobia (TSK-17)

  Baseline and after 8-week intervention

• Sacroiliac Joint Screening

  Baseline and after 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Pilates-only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants completed an 8-week, twice-weekly Pilates-based exercise program (16 sessions, 30-40 minutes each).

Behavioral: Pilates-Based Exercise Program

Manual Therapy + Pilates

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received cervical and sacroiliac mobilization in addition to the same 8-week, twice-weekly Pilates-based exercise program (16 sessions, 30-40 minutes each).

Behavioral: Pilates-Based Exercise Program; Procedure: Cervical and Sacroiliac Mobilization

Interventions

Pilates-Based Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

A structured Pilates-based exercise program targeting core stability, posture, and cervical control, performed twice weekly for 8 weeks (16 sessions total, 30-40 minutes per session).

Manual Therapy + Pilates; Pilates-only

Cervical and Sacroiliac Mobilization PROCEDURE

Manual mobilization techniques applied to the cervical spine and sacroiliac joint, performed in addition to the Pilates-based exercise program.

Manual Therapy + Pilates

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Being between 18 and 65 years of age
• Being diagnosed with bruxism (awake bruxism and/or sleep bruxism) based on clinical presentation and self-reported symptoms
• Reporting symptoms such as jaw clenching, teeth grinding, masticatory muscle fatigue, or orofacial discomfort
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent
• Having sufficient cognitive ability to understand and follow instructions
• Being physically capable of participating in a structured exercise program
• Not receiving any ongoing physiotherapy or rehabilitation program targeting the craniofacial, cervical, or lumbopelvic regions during the study period

You may not qualify if:

• History of surgical intervention involving the temporomandibular joint, cervical spine, or craniofacial region Presence of neurological, rheumatological, or systemic diseases that could affect movement, pain perception, or neuromuscular control Diagnosis of severe temporomandibular joint disorders that significantly limit jaw function or require specialized medical treatment Presence of acute musculoskeletal injury affecting the cervical spine, lumbar region, or lower extremities Current use of medications affecting neuromuscular function, such as muscle relaxants, sedatives, or psychotropic drugs Diagnosed psychiatric conditions that could interfere with participation or compliance with the study protocol Participation in any physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or structured exercise program targeting the craniofacial, cervical, or lumbopelvic regions during the study period Pregnancy, due to potential alterations in musculoskeletal and hormonal status Inability to attend regular sessions or complete the intervention protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Elif Tuğçe Çil: lead

Study Sites (1)

Noi Physio Pilates Studio

Istanbul, Ataşehir, 34755, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bruxism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Habits; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: ASSISTANT PROF. DR.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 12, 2026
• First Posted: July 16, 2026
• Study Start: May 4, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 29, 2026
• Study Completion: June 29, 2026
• Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)