Synchronous vs Asynchronous Telerehabilitation for Bruxism

NCT07827495 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025-1320
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial was to learn if online exercise and self-massage programs could lower pain and improve jaw movement in adults with bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching). The main questions it aimed to answer were: Did live video exercise guided by a physical therapist lower jaw pain more than an independent video exercise program? Did live video exercise guided by a physical therapist improve mouth opening more than an independent video exercise program? Researchers compared live video sessions to independent video exercises to see which approach worked better for improving jaw function, sleep quality, and daily life. Participants: Completed an 8-session exercise and self-massage program over 4 weeks (2 times each week). Either practiced live with a physical therapist over video calls or followed recorded video exercises on their own at home. Answered surveys about pain, sleep quality, and oral health before and after the 4-week program. Had their mouth opening, jaw muscle sensitivity, and muscle activity tested before and after the program.

Conditions

Sleep Bruxism; Bruxism

Keywords

Telerehabilitation; Exercise Therapy; Self-Massage; Temporomandibular Disorder; Electromyography

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Pain Intensity

  Assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Pain intensity is evaluated at rest, during the night, in the morning upon waking, and during jaw activity/function.

  Baseline and post-intervention (Week 4)

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Change in Maximum Mouth Opening (MMO)

  Baseline and post-intervention (Week 4)

• Change in Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)

  Baseline and post-intervention (Week 4)

• Change in Pressure Pain Tolerance (PPTol)

  Baseline and post-intervention (Week 4)

• Change in Masticatory Muscle Activity (sEMG)

  Baseline and post-intervention (Week 4)

• Change in Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHIP-14)

  Baseline and post-intervention (Week 4)

Study Arms (2)

Synchronous Telerehabilitation Group (S-TRG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed an 8-session therapeutic exercise and self-massage program over 4 weeks (2 sessions per week) via real-time live video calls under the direct supervision of a physiotherapist. They also received TMJ patient education and behavioral modification brochures.

Behavioral: Synchronous Telerehabilitation Protocol

Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Group (A-TRG)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants were taught the same 8-session exercise and self-massage protocol in an initial live recorded video session and subsequently performed the exercises independently at home for 4 weeks using personalized video recordings, supported by weekly check-ins. They also received TMJ patient education and behavioral modification brochures.

Behavioral: Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Protocol

Interventions

Synchronous Telerehabilitation Protocol BEHAVIORAL

Real-time video-supervised protocol consisting of diaphragmatic breathing, cervical stretching, TMJ range of motion and self-stretching, bilateral masseter/temporalis self-massage, scapular stabilization exercises, and TMJ education brochure (8 sessions over 4 weeks).

Synchronous Telerehabilitation Group (S-TRG)

Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Protocol BEHAVIORAL

Video-recorded home protocol consisting of identical diaphragmatic breathing, cervical stretching, TMJ range of motion/self-stretching, bilateral self-massage, scapular exercises, and TMJ education brochure performed independently with weekly check-ins (8 sessions over 4 weeks).

Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Group (A-TRG)

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed with clinically-based bruxism
• Aged 18 years or older
• Voluntarily agreed to participate and provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Prior or concurrent neurological, psychiatric, or systemic diseases
• Ongoing dental treatment
• Currently receiving physical therapy
• Regular use of medications such as analgesics or muscle relaxants
• History of surgery or trauma involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or neck region
• Pregnancy
• Active cancer
• Planned surgical procedures
• Visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments that could potentially confound the study outcomes
• History of receiving treatment for the TMJ within the preceding 3 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gazi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ankara University, Faculty of Dentistry

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bruxism; Sleep Bruxism; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Habits; Behavior; Parasomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Craniomandibular Disorders; Mandibular Diseases; Jaw Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Muscular Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants are randomized into two parallel groups: Synchronous Telerehabilitation Group (S-TRG) or Asynchronous Telerehabilitation Group (A-TRG).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 14, 2026
• First Posted: September 18, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2026
• Study Completion: April 30, 2026
• Last Updated: September 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)