MedPath

What Are the Clinical Factors Associated With a Significant Pain Reduction Following Physiotherapy in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders?

Completed
Conditions
Temporomandibular Disorders
Interventions
Other: Physiotherapy - Manual Therapy
Registration Number
NCT03990662
Lead Sponsor
Istituto Stomatologico Italiano
Brief Summary

RATIONALE OF THE OBSERVATION STUDY:

This study aims to observe which patients with temporomandibular disorder improve more following a physiotherapy program of four sessions. Knowing the characteristics of patients who have the most significant improvements could help clinician advise or advise against physiotherapy for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders.

STUDY PROCEDURES The study will be conducted at the Istituto Stomatologico Italiano. Patients diagnosed with Temporomandibular Disorder will be recruited in the gnathological and neuromuscular gnathological departments. The physiotherapists of the Craniomandibular Physiotherapy Service will perform physiotherapy therapy, which consists of four physiotherapy sessions \[lasting 30 minutes, about once a week\] over a month. Before starting the treatment, participants will be asked to answer some questions concerning their state of health (e.g. pain intensity) with particular reference to Temporomandibular Disorder (e.g. location and duration of pain). The intensity of pain and the level of function will then be monitored at baseline, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks from baseline.

EXPECTED BENEFITS FROM THE STUDY AND EXPECTED BENEFITS FOR THE PATIENT The benefits are the discovery of new knowledge in the field of therapeutic choice for patients with temporomandibular disorder.

Detailed Description

Additional information:

In this study protocol, the variables reported in the section "Other Pre-specified Outcomes" are the predictors that will be included in the prediction model.

The total "Enrollment" is 180 participants (100 for the development phase and 80 for the validation phase).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
180
Inclusion Criteria
  • (1) adults aged ≥18 years;
  • (2) TMD diagnosis according to the Axis I of the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs (DC/TMD) (Shiffman et al., 2014);
  • (3) no therapeutic interventions reported (for their TMD) in the past six months (Wahlund et al., 2015);
  • (4) capacity to use and understand written and verbal Italian language;
  • (5) mental capacity to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • (1) TMD pain related to rheumatoid/inflammatory arthritis;
  • (2) any physical or mental condition that could potentially influence the study;
  • (3) they commence another treatment for their TMD (pharmacology, oral appliance, others) throughout the duration of the study.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
TMDPhysiotherapy - Manual TherapyPatients (aged ≥18 years) with a diagnosis of Temporomandibular Disorders
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Pain Intensity (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]) from baseline to two monthChange from baseline to two month

Pain intensity will be calculated by averaging the ratings of current pain, average pain in the past week, and worst pain in the past week using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), consisting of a horizontal line measuring 10 cm (without marks), with "no pain" written at the left extremity, and "worst pain imaginable" at the right extremity. Patients will be educated to trace a perpendicular line on the horizontal line to intend the pain intensity. The distance from the 0 points will be after measured in millimetres. The VAS is a reliable and valid scale to assess pain intensity as an outcome measure in intervention studies. Based on the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) recommendations about TMD , a reduction of at least 30% of the VAS score for pain intensity is considered clinically significant. Consequently, a reduction in the total VAS score \[≥ 30%\] will be defined as a good outcome

Change in Pain Intensity (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]) from baseline to one monthChange from baseline to one month

Pain intensity will be calculated by averaging the ratings of current pain, average pain in the past week, and worst pain in the past week using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), consisting of a horizontal line measuring 10 cm (without marks), with "no pain" written at the left extremity, and "worst pain imaginable" at the right extremity. Patients will be educated to trace a perpendicular line on the horizontal line to intend the pain intensity. The distance from the 0 points will be after measured in millimetres. The VAS is a reliable and valid scale to assess pain intensity as an outcome measure in intervention studies. Based on the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) recommendations about TMD , a reduction of at least 30% of the VAS score for pain intensity is considered clinically significant. Consequently, a reduction in the total VAS score \[≥ 30%\] will be defined as a good outcome

Change in Function (patient specific functional scale [PSFS]) from baseline to one monthChange from baseline to one month

To capture a potential change in function, patients will also complete the patient specific functional scale (PSFS). The PSFS is a self reported outcome measure assessing functional change in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. It is responsive to clinically significant change over time, even in chronic pain patients. Patients are invited to rate, on an 11-point scale, their level of difficulty performing at least three different daily activities. Following the treatment, patients are required to score again the activities previously rated. It is known the PSFS is a valid, reliable, and responsive outcome measure with a high test-retest reliability in patients with lower back pain and knee problems.

Change in Function (patient specific functional scale [PSFS]) from baseline to two monthChange from baseline to two month

To capture a potential change in function, patients will also complete the patient specific functional scale (PSFS). The PSFS is a self reported outcome measure assessing functional change in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. It is responsive to clinically significant change over time, even in chronic pain patients. Patients are invited to rate, on an 11-point scale, their level of difficulty performing at least three different daily activities. Following the treatment, patients are required to score again the activities previously rated. It is known the PSFS is a valid, reliable, and responsive outcome measure with a high test-retest reliability in patients with lower back pain and knee problems.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istituto Stomatologico Italiano

🇮🇹

Miano, Milano, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath