Development of an Integrated Evaluation-to-Treatment Framework to Enhance Clinical Efficiency and Effectiveness in Temporomandibular Disorders
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 入组人数
- 180
- 主要终点
- Tenderness of Masticatory Muscles and Periarticular Temporomandibular Joint Pain
研究概览
简要总结
This study aims to improve clinical efficiency and effectiveness in treating Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). The researchers will integrate machine learning technology with clinical examination data, CBCT, and MRI to identify the core underlying issues of each patient. Based on this precise, AI-assisted diagnosis, the study will implement a tailored treatment framework. The final goal is to develop predictive algorithms that can determine MRI necessity while ensuring that clinical interventions are highly targeted, efficient, and successful.
详细描述
This study integrates machine learning with a clinical trial framework to optimize the evaluation and management of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). A total of 180 eligible participants are expected to be enrolled in the study. To ensure a homogenous sample, strict screening will be conducted using standardized psychometric scales; patients with significant psychosocial confounders (defined as GAD-7 ≥10, PHQ-9 ≥15, PHQ-15 ≥10, or PSQI >5) or comorbidities such as fibromyalgia, rheumatic autoimmune diseases, and trauma history will be excluded. Prior to treatment, baseline clinical examination, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data will be collected. All clinical data and longitudinal pre- and post-treatment MRI findings will be utilized to train advanced multi-modal diagnostic models; based on this foundational intelligence, predictive algorithms will then be developed to determine the necessity of an MRI scan using only clinical data and CBCT images. The enrolled participants will be divided by active maximum mouth opening into two subgroups (≤30 mm and >30 mm) and randomly assigned to three treatment arms: (1) Proprioceptive Training + Sham + LLLT (2 weeks of sham laser followed by 2 weeks of active laser acupuncture); (2) Proprioceptive Training + LLLT + LLLT (4 weeks of active laser acupuncture); and (3) Waiting List Control (receiving standard conservative care only).Proprioceptive training includes gentle teeth tapping, tongue-to-palate contact, and neutral head-neck posture exercises, performed three times daily. LLLT targets the Xiaguan (ST7), Yifeng (SJ17), and bilateral Fengchi (GB20) points once weekly. Assessments will be conducted biweekly during treatment, with final evaluation at 4 weeks and follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-treatment. Post-treatment MRI will be performed at the 4-week endpoint to evaluate objective intra-articular and perimuscular soft-tissue changes, correlating with improvements in pain resolution efficiency and mandibular range of motion recovery.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
This is a double-blind trial using coded laser devices (e.g., Device A and Device B) provided by the manufacturer. Both devices have identical appearances and sounds. The investigator, who acts as the care provider and outcomes assessor, knows the group assignment but remains blind to which code represents the active laser energy until the database is locked.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 70 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) screened by the Department of Dentistry, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at En Chu Kong Hospital, who have failed to respond to analgesic treatment for at least one week.
- •Patients clinically examined and identified as having pain predominantly originating from muscles associated with mandibular movement.
- •Patients aged between 18 and 70 years (inclusive) with full legal capacity.
- •Patients who are willing to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
排除标准
- •Patients meeting any of the following clinical scale thresholds: Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)≥ 10, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) ≥ 15, Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) ≥ 10, or Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) >
- •Patients with tumors of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or head and neck region.
- •Patients with acute or chronic infections.
- •Patients with a history of neuropathy or stroke.
- •Patients with a history of head and neck trauma.
- •Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
- •Patients diagnosed with autoimmune or rheumatic diseases.
- •Patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- •Patients with claustrophobia (unable to undergo MRI examination).
- •Women who are pregnant or lactating, or parents currently in the infant care/nursing period.
- •Patients who have received invasive treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders within the past 3 months.
研究组 & 干预措施
Proprioceptive Training + Sham + LLLT
Participants in this group will receive proprioceptive training combined with low-level laser acupuncture. For the first 2 weeks, sham laser acupuncture (identical visual and auditory cues with no energy output) will be administered, followed by 2 weeks of active laser acupuncture. Proprioceptive training will be performed three times daily throughout the 4-week period.
干预措施: Low-Level Laser Acupuncture (Device)
Proprioceptive Training + Sham + LLLT
Participants in this group will receive proprioceptive training combined with low-level laser acupuncture. For the first 2 weeks, sham laser acupuncture (identical visual and auditory cues with no energy output) will be administered, followed by 2 weeks of active laser acupuncture. Proprioceptive training will be performed three times daily throughout the 4-week period.
干预措施: Proprioceptive Training (Behavioral)
Proprioceptive Training + LLLT + LLLT
Participants in this group will receive proprioceptive training combined with 4 weeks of active low-level laser acupuncture. Proprioceptive training will be performed three times daily, and active laser acupuncture will be administered once weekly for the entire 4-week period.
干预措施: Low-Level Laser Acupuncture (Device)
Proprioceptive Training + LLLT + LLLT
Participants in this group will receive proprioceptive training combined with 4 weeks of active low-level laser acupuncture. Proprioceptive training will be performed three times daily, and active laser acupuncture will be administered once weekly for the entire 4-week period.
干预措施: Proprioceptive Training (Behavioral)
Waiting List Control
Participants assigned to this group will serve as a waiting list control and will receive standard conservative care, specifically utilizing a stabilization splint, during the 4-week trial period. They will not receive the experimental proprioceptive training or laser acupuncture protocols during this phase.
干预措施: Stabilization Splint Treatment (Device)
结局指标
主要结局
Tenderness of Masticatory Muscles and Periarticular Temporomandibular Joint Pain
时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks (endpoint), and long-term follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.
Evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0-10, to measure pain intensity upon palpation of the masticatory muscles and the periarticular structures of the temporomandibular joint.
Pain-Free Mandibular Active Range of Motion
时间窗: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks (endpoint), and long-term follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.
Measured as the maximum active mouth opening (maximum unassisted pain-free opening) in millimeters using a calibrated ruler.
Jaw Functional Limitation Scale - 20 (JFLS-20)
时间窗: Baseline, 4 weeks (endpoint), and long-term follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.
The Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20) is a 20-item patient-reported questionnaire assessing jaw functional limitation during the previous month. Each item is rated from 0 (no limitation) to 10 (severe limitation). Domain scores are calculated as the mean of completed items for mastication (items 1-6), vertical jaw mobility (items 7-10), and verbal and non-verbal communication (items 11-20). The overall JFLS-20 score is the mean of the three domain scores. Scores range from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate greater jaw functional limitation and a worse outcome. A domain score is calculated when no more than 2 mastication items, 1 mobility item, or 2 communication items are missing.
次要结局
- Cervical active range of motion (AROM) limitation(Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks (endpoint), and long-term follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.)
- MRI T2-Weighted Soft Tissue Assessment(Baseline (pre-treatment) and 4 weeks (post-treatment endpoint).)
研究者
Ting-Yu Huang, D.D.S.
Attending Physician, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
En Chu Kong Hospital