Actively Recruiting
A Combined Treatment of Manual Therapy and Nervous Vagus Stimulation Versus Manual Therapy Alone in Patients With Myogenic Temporomandibular Disorders
Led by University of Alcala · Updated on 2026-05-01
60
Participants Needed
3
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating treatments for temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which are increasingly common and affect jaw function and cause pain. This study aims to evaluate whether combining manual therapy with vagus nerve stimulation, a nerve linked to pain and jaw function, offers better relief and improved quality of life than manual therapy alone. The study involves 20 participants diagnosed with myogenic TMD, focusing on pain, jaw movement, and distress. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving manual therapy combined with vagus nerve stimulation and the other receiving only manual therapy. Both groups undergo four physiotherapy sessions, one per week over a month, and are trained to continue treatment exercises at home over two months. The manual therapy includes joint manipulation and soft tissue techniques for the jaw. Throughout the study, an independent evaluator will assess participants monthly using questionnaires to measure chronic pain, jaw function, physical symptoms, range of motion, and distress. The main outcomes are changes in health status and chronic pain after two months. This double-blind, randomized study ensures unbiased results by keeping evaluators unaware of group assignments. Participant involvement spans two months of treatment and assessments.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Combined Treatment of Manual Therapy and Nervous Vagus Stimulation in Patients With Myogenic Temporomandibular Disorders
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Clinical diagnosis of myogenic pain according to the CD / TTM diagnostic criteria
- Presence of pain during the last 30 days
- Patients with decreased jaw function and mobility due to pain
- Patients who have not received physiotherapy treatment in the last 3 weeks
- Patients of legal age
You will not qualify if you...
- Patients using sedatives, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, anxiolytics, or muscle relaxants
- Patients with cardiac pacemakers or implanted defibrillators
- Patients diagnosed with severe cardiorespiratory or respiratory diseases, cancer, infections, or systemic pathologies
- Diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder of joint or mixed origin
- Patients with psychiatric or psychological disorders, intellectual or motor disabilities preventing proper exercise or questionnaire completion
- Patients with dental procedures scheduled during the study or surgery in the last 3 months
- Patients with pain resulting from local or general trauma
- Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, or degenerative diseases
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 2 months
Participants receive either manual therapy combined with vagus nerve stimulation or manual therapy alone to assess improvements in pain, jaw mobility, and quality of life.
Multiple visits over the 2-month treatment period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 3 locations
1
Clinical University Physiotherapy and pain
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 2805
Actively Recruiting
2
Martinez-Merinero, Patricia
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 28805
Actively Recruiting
3
Physioterapy and Pain center research
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, 28805
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Patricia Martinez-Merinero, PhD
D
Daniel Pecos-Martin, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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