Biomechanical Relationship Between Trunk Flexion and Mouth Opening: Pilot Study

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Stretch; Hamstring Injury
• Interventions: Other: Control group intervention; Other: Self-stretching of the masticatory musculature

• Registration Number: NCT06188897
• Lead Sponsor: University Rovira i Virgili

Brief Summary

The aim of the present study is to analyze if there is a biomechanical relationship between trunk flexion and buccal opening and to observe if there is an improvement of trunk flexion by performing the "sit and reach" test when stretching the masticatory muscles.

Detailed Description

The study design is made up of a double-blind clinical trial with 60 participants randomly divided into two groups of 30 people each (Treatment group and Control group). Basal measurements of the mouth opening were taken with a vernier caliper and the trunk flexion measurements were taken by means of the "sit and reach" test. These measurements were carried out again after the intervention, which consisted of self-stretching of the masticatory muscles for the Treatment group and an occlusion of the mouth for the Control group. In the results there was an increase in the trunk flexion compared to the initial values in both groups (Treatment group 2.8 (1.51), Control group 1.97 (2.31) and this increase was greater in the Treatment group even though the difference with the Control group was not statistically significant. Therefore, the stretching of the masticatory muscles does not cause an immediate increase in the degree of trunk flexion measured by the "sit and reach" test. As a consequence, we cannot confirm the existence of a biomechanical relationship between trunk flexion and mouth opening.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-02-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-02-02
• Study Completion: 2023-02-15
• Status Verified: 2023-12
• Study First Submitted: 2023-12-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-01-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-01-02
• Study First Posted: 2024-01-03
• Last Update Posted: 2024-01-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

1. Being between 18 and 26 years old (both included).
2. Having signed the consent form.
3. Being able to introduce three knuckles of the non-dominant hand between the incisors.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Having a musculoskeletal injury in the lower extremity and / or in the jaw.
2. Being in the process of receiving physiotherapy treatment and / or having undergone any odontologic or maxillofacial surgery in the last month.
3. Having suffered dislocations, painful clicks or being diagnosed with some type of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
4. Having hypermobility in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that is, the measurement of the buccal opening being greater than 60 mm.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control group	Control group intervention	The control group was asked to introduce only two knuckles in the oral cavity and perform a mandibular occlusion, an intervention that serves as a simulated stretch in said group.
Experimental group	Self-stretching of the masticatory musculature	The experimental group did the intervention, which consisted of self-stretching of the masticatory muscles. This stretch consisted of introducing three knuckles of the non-dominant hand between the incisors for two minutes while sitting

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Trunk flexion	1 year	Trunk flexion in cm, taken by using the "sit and reach" drawer (Eve-que). The measurements were made three consecutive times with an interval of five seconds between them. The result of the arithmetic average of the three measurements was the one that was accounted for in the study. For the measurement of trunk flexion, the subject was placed on the floor with his back against the wall and having the soles of both feet in contact with the drawer.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mandibular opening	1 year	Mandibular opening in mm., assessed using the vernier caliper (INCUTEX Germany GmbHl). The measurement was made three consecutive times with an interval of five seconds between them. The result of the arithmetic average of the three measurements was the one that was caliper (corresponding to 0 of the ruler) was placed at the upper end of the lower central incisors and measured to the edge of the corresponding central incisor.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Laura Menés Fernández; 🇪🇸 Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Spain