Manual Therapy vs. Home Exercise in Myogenic TMD With Neck Pain

NCT07785271 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-60116787-020-797163
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common musculoskeletal conditions affecting the jaw joint and surrounding chewing muscles. Myogenic TMD specifically involves muscle pain and dysfunction, which is frequently accompanied by chronic neck pain due to the close anatomical and neurophysiological connections between the jaw and the cervical spine. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness of two widely used physiotherapy interventions-a clinician-administered manual therapy protocol and a patient-conducted home exercise program-in individuals diagnosed with myogenic TMD and chronic neck pain. The main research question is to determine whether targeted manual therapy applied to both the temporomandibular and cervical regions yields superior improvements in pain, jaw and neck mobility, quality of life, and masseter muscle properties compared to the Rocabado 6x6 home exercise program alone.

1. 1.A total of 34 participants aged 18-45 years with myogenic TMD and chronic neck pain will be randomly allocated into two equal groups:
2. 2.Exercise Group: Participants perform the standardized Rocabado 6x6 home exercise program 3 days per week for 2 weeks, with adherence monitored through daily exercise diaries.

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Neck Pain Musculoskeletal

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Temporomandibular Joint Pain Intensity at Rest, During Activity, and During Chewing Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

  Baseline and Week 2, immediately post-treatment

• Title: Neck Pain Intensity Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

  Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Cervical Spine Active Range of Motion Assessed by Baseline CROM Deluxe Device.

  Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatmen

• Cervical Joint Position Error Assessed by Baseline CROM Deluxe Device

  Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatmen

• Mandibular Range of Motion Assessed by Digital Caliper

  Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment

• Jaw Proprioception Assessed by Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus (AMEDA) Protocol.

  Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment

• Facial Asymmetry Assessed by Tape Measure

  Baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment

Study Arms (2)

Manual Therapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Procedure: Manual Therapy Protocol

Rocabado Home Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Rocabado 6x6 Home Exercise Program

Interventions

Manual Therapy Protocol PROCEDURE

Clinician-administered targeted manual therapy protocol applied to both the temporomandibular joint and cervical spine regions. The treatment includes soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and joint mobilization techniques. Administered in 6 individual treatment sessions over 2 weeks (3 sessions per week).

Manual Therapy Group

Rocabado 6x6 Home Exercise Program OTHER

Standardized patient-conducted Rocabado 6x6 home exercise program focusing on mandibular and cervical posture, mobility, and muscular control. Performed 3 days per week for 2 weeks. Patient adherence and compliance are tracked using daily exercise logbooks.

Rocabado Home Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Presence of TMJ pain at rest,
• TMJ pain persisting for at least 3 months,
• Neck pain persisting for at least 3 months,
• Willingness to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Any orthopedic and/or neurological condition that would preclude the assessments,
• Cardiac history or surgery severe enough to preclude exercise,
• Diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder,
• Any condition precluding assessment or communication,
• History of orthopedic surgery in any region,
• Receipt of physiotherapy or any other treatment for the TMJ or spinal region within the previous 6 months,
• Illiteracy,
• A positive vertebrobasilar artery test.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pamukkale University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Craniomandibular Disorders; Mandibular Diseases; Jaw Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcome assessor conducting baseline and post-treatment clinical and ultrasonographic evaluations is blinded to participant group allocations. Due to the nature of manual therapy and exercise interventions, participants and treating physiotherapists cannot be blinded. Data analysts and investigators involved in outcome calculations are also blinded to group assignments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physiotherapist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 18, 2026
• First Posted: August 25, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2027
• Last Updated: August 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08