Evaluation of the Effects of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Interventions in Patients With Bruxism

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Bruxism; Physiotherapy; Exercise; Manual Theapy; Pain

• Registration Number: NCT07058311
• Lead Sponsor: Bartın Unıversity

Brief Summary

Bruxism is a multifactorial condition that affects the masticatory muscles and often requires multidisciplinary management. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of manual therapy and home exercise on pain intensity, number of myofascial trigger points, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical mobility, head posture, muscle thickness, stiffness, and activity in individuals with bruxism.

Methods: Thirty individuals diagnosed with bruxism were randomly assigned to two intervention groups: the Home Exercise Group (HEG) and the Manual Therapy Group (MTG). All participants received education about bruxism. The HEG performed a supervised home-based exercise program three times per week for eight weeks, supported by instructional videos and weekly follow-up. The MTG received intraoral and extraoral manual therapy targeting the jaw and cervical regions twice a week over the same period. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), trigger point count (palpation), TMJ mobility (ruler), head posture and cervical mobility (goniometer), muscle thickness and stiffness (ultrasound), and muscle activity (electromyography) were evaluated before and after treatment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-11-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-10-01
• Study Completion: 2025-04-01
• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-09
• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-30
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-10
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Volunteer students aged between 18-25
• Answered "yes" to at least two of the six questions in the Bruxism questionnaire.

Is there anyone hear you grinding your teeth at night? Do you feel fatigue or pain in your jaw when you wake up in the morning? Do you feel pain in your teeth and gums when you wake up in the morning? Do you have a headache when you wake up in the morning? Do you notice that you grind your teeth during the day? Do you notice that you clench your teeth during the day?

-Having at least two clinical signs of bruxism Abnormal tooth wear on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth Abfraction Gingival recession and/or cervical defect Tongue indentations or damage to the inside of the cheek Tense facial and jaw muscles, muscle sensitivity, and masseteric hypertrophy upon bidigital palpation

Exclusion Criteria

• Characterized by a neurological disease,
• Botulinum toxin injections into the masticatory muscles in the last year,
• Using antidepressant-type medications that will affect the central nervous system,
• Receiving occlusal splint treatment,
• Having more than two molar teeth missing in the posterior
• Individuals who cannot cooperate

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain Level	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the severity of pain related to bruxism. On a 10 cm long horizontal line, "0 (no pain)" was written at the beginning and "10 (most intense pain)" was written at the end and the patient was asked to mark the pain intensity they perceived at rest, active use and at night on the line. The pain intensity of the individual was recorded by measuring the distance marked on the line in millimeters. It has been reported that the Turkish version of the VAS is a valid and reliable measurement tool in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders
Cervical and Temporomandibular Joint Range of Motion (ROM)	From baseline to the end of the treatment at 8 weeks	Cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation were measured using a universal goniometer. TMJ range of motion, including maximum mouth opening, protrusion, retrusion, and lateral excursions, was measured using a ruler.
Ultrasonographic Imaging	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Ultrasound and elastography measurements were performed using the ACUSON S 2000 system (Siemens, Munich, Germany) by a single experienced radiologist. A 4-9 MHz linear transducer was used to measure the thickness and elasticity of the masseter, anterior temporalis, and SCM muscles both at rest and during maximal clenching, in a semi-recumbent position with head support. Measurements were recorded in millimeters
Electromyography (EMG)	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	Surface EMG recordings were obtained using an 8-channel EMG system (BioResearch Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA). Self-adhesive disposable surface electrodes were placed bilaterally over the masseter, anterior temporalis, and SCM muscles, with a grounding electrode on the trapezius. Electrodes were aligned parallel to muscle fibers at the muscle belly. Measurements were conducted in a quiet, dimly lit room, with participants seated in the Frankfurt Horizontal Plane position. Participants were asked to clench their teeth three times and then relax. Each EMG recording lasted 10 seconds and was repeated twice. From each 10-second recording, three 2-second segments from the first 6 seconds were selected, and the average EMG activity was calculated.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Trigger Point	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	While evaluating the trigger points in the masticatory and neck muscles, the tense muscle was palpated with a fingertip. Palpation was performed along the long axis of the tense muscle and the most sensitive point was determined. Sudden reaction or vocal response of the patient with light pressure applied to this point and the presence of reflected pain in a region distant from this region indicated the presence of a trigger point. Evaluation was performed in 14 muscles (masseter, temporalis, suprahyoid, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), scalene, and suboccipital muscles) and the muscles with trigger points and the total number of trigger points were recorded.
Presence and severity of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) symptoms	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	It was examined with Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI). The Fonseca Anamnestic Index, a 10-question questionnaire designed to assess temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), was administered. Responses included "No (0 points)," "Sometimes (5 points)," and "Yes (10 points)." The total score was calculated to quantify the severity of TMD. A high score means that the disorder is severe.
Bruxism	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks	It was examined with Bruxism Questionnaire. According to the survey questions prepared by referencing the studies of Pintado, it was stated that individuals who answered "Yes" to at least two of the questions specified in the survey can be called bruxists. The total score range varies between 0-6. A high score means that the disorder is severe.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Bartın University, Health Services Vocational School; 🇹🇷 Bartın, Turkey