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The Effect of Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise in Addition to Routine Dental Care in Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorders
The Effect of Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise in Addition to Routine Dental Care in Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorders: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Who can join
Ages 18 to 55 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Active-Duty Service Members * Complaint of TMD symptoms * Must be able to be followed for twelve weeks after consent * TMD Screener score ≥ 3 45 Exclusion Criteria: * Actively in a Trainee status * Utilized oral device in past 6 months * Facial injection therapy in the prior 6 months * Facial surgery in the preceding 6 months * Serious spinal pathology (acute fracture, active cancer, instability) * Diagnosed neurological or rheumatological disease * Currently under litigation related to temporomandibular or cervical spine pain(s) * Currently undergoing Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) * Retiring or separating from the military within a year
About the study
The goal of this randomized clinical trial among US military active-duty service-members with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is to determine whether standard care plus 6-weeks of tailored, individualized physical therapy (PT) treatment provides greater benefit than standard care alone in patient-reported outcomes, and maximal mouth opening.
The aims of the study are to compare outcomes in individuals with TMD that receive standard care treatment versus standard care plus PT interventions at 0-, 6-, and 12-weeks. The investigators anticipate that subjects in the standard care plus PT group will exhibit improved patient-reported outcomes, and maximal mouth opening compared to those who received standard care alone.
Additionally, the investigators will compare the amount and type of healthcare utilization between the two groups (Standard Care and Standard Care + PT) in the 12-month period following enrollment in the study.
All participants will be managed by their primary dental provider and receive care as deemed appropriate by their provider. All participants will complete patient-reported outcome measures and have their jaw motion measured. Those randomized to the standard care plus PT group will also receive a tailored PT evaluation followed by an individualized plan of care two times per week for up to six weeks.
What is being tested
- Standard care (other)
- Physical Therapy (PT) (other)
Sponsor: Brooke Army Medical Center · Participants: 60 · Started: Sep 16, 2024
Contact the study team
- Mason A Frank, DPT · Phone: 301-606-8511
- Benjamin R Hando, PhD, DPT · Phone: 210-602-9024
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06602375
Locations in the U.S.
| Texas | Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.