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Postural Perturbations Tracing to the Stomatognathic System

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Posture
Registration Number
NCT06974591
Lead Sponsor
Boston University
Brief Summary

A connection of the stomatognathic system \[an anatomical system comprising the teeth, jaws, and associated soft tissues\] to postural control has been suggested in the literature. This research will investigate how occlusion can impact postural response, disorder, and rehabilitation by examining how modifications in the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) influence balance and gait.

Although it is currently unclear which or how restorative approaches cause postural disturbances, changes in several occlusal factors, i.e. VDO, Angle's class, crossbite and others have been suggested to manifest clearly into an altered stability, which could have a significant effect on the quality of life, especially in the elderly.

The present study aims to identify the degree to which specific interventions in oral cavity affect the stability and gait patterns of patients, This will b achieved by either:

* The use of dental splints (fully certified devices)

* The use of the subjects' own dentures

A direct correlation of postural perturbations and VDO, would essentially void the necessity to evaluate specific interventions (e.g. different types of restorations) independently and allow clinicians to assess a potential effect on their patients' stability and gait based on pre- to post- treatment VDO.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Morbid obesity i.e. BMI values exceeding 40, calculated based on body weight and height requested over the phone or during the visit
  • Occlusion altered due to a non-physiological condition i.e. trauma or pathology
  • Active temporomandibular joint disorder
  • Pregnancy, as pregnancy-related physiological changes could influence the study's balance and gait measurements. This exclusion will be based on self-report during the screening process, and no additional testing will be conducted.
  • Any other condition that in the opinion of the study researchers has potential to impact balance or gait

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Center of pressure60-90 minutes

This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.

Postural sway60-90 minutes

This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.

Stride length60-90 minutes

This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.

Step width60-90 minutes

This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.

Gait velocity60-90 minutes

This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.

Muscle activation60-90 minutes

This outcome will be assessed from data collected with wireless Electromyography (consisting of small sensors), which will document the activation of specific muscle groups, controlling head and jaw position.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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