Actively Recruiting
How is Aerobic Exercise Compared to Localized Pain Relief Exercises in Patients With Jaw Pain and Neck Pain? Pilot Study
Led by Hochschule Osnabruck · Updated on 2025-05-13
42
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
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AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Musculoskeletal disorders, including jaw and neck pain, are widespread and significantly impact quality of life due to chronic pain and disability. This research compares two types of exercise therapies—local craniocervical motor control exercises and aerobic exercise—to assess their effects on pain intensity, pain sensitivity, jaw and neck disability, and muscle performance in women aged 18 to 60 diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders or chronic neck pain. The study is a pilot randomized controlled trial aiming also to test the feasibility of these protocols for future research funding. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the neck motor control exercise group or the aerobic exercise group. The neck exercise program involves supervised training focusing on the deep and superficial neck muscles over 12 weeks, with sessions lasting 30 to 45 minutes and gradually decreasing in frequency. The aerobic group will perform cycling sessions lasting 60 minutes with varying intensities progressing over 12 weeks. Both groups will follow a structured training schedule designed to improve pain and muscle function. Participants will be evaluated at multiple points: before treatment, at 2 and 6 weeks, at the end of 12 weeks of treatment, and during follow-ups at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Assessments include pain intensity using a Visual Analogue Scale, neck disability, jaw function, pressure pain thresholds, psychological functioning, and muscle performance and fatigability. Compliance will be monitored through diaries and reminders, and any medication changes will be recorded. Data will be analyzed to determine the treatments' effects over time while maintaining participant confidentiality and safety.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
How is Aerobic Exercise Compared to Localized Pain Relief Exercises in Patients With Jaw Pain and Neck Pain?
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be female aged 18 to 60 years
- Diagnosed with idiopathic chronic neck pain and/or temporomandibular disorders (TMD) by accepted criteria
- Have chronic pain in the neck or jaw lasting at least 3 months
- Pain not caused by recent acute trauma, infection, or active inflammation in the last month
- Have moderate or severe baseline pain of 30mm or greater on a 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of red flags for serious neck or jaw pathologies
- Diagnosis of functional chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia
- Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders such as depression or schizophrenia
- Received therapy for neck or jaw pain within 3 months before joining the study
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 - 12 weeks
Participants receive either a 12-week program of neck motor control exercises supervised by a physical therapist or aerobic exercise using a cycle ergometer. The neck motor control exercise involves progressive training targeting neck muscles with varying frequency over 12 weeks, while the aerobic exercise involves cycling sessions three times per week with progressive intensity.
Multiple visits during 12 weeks including baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and final evaluation at 12 weeks
Duration - 6 months
Participants are monitored after treatment to assess sustained effects on pain, disability, and muscle performance with evaluations at three and six months after treatment ends.
2 visits (at 3 months and 6 months post-treatment)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Hochschule Osnabrück - University of Applied Sciences
Osnabrück, Lower Saxony, Germany, 49076
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Susan Armijo-Olivo, PhD Professor
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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