Jaw pain relief: simple exercises may ease TMJ dysfunction

NCT ID NCT06883825

Symptom relief Sponsor: Merve Keskin Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This completed study tested whether adding breathing exercises or back exercises to standard jaw muscle therapy could improve pain, jaw function, spine mobility, and mood in people with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. 63 adults aged 18-65 with muscle-related TMJ issues were split into three groups: jaw therapy alone, jaw therapy plus breathing exercises, or jaw therapy plus back exercises. All groups received 16 sessions over 8 weeks. The study measured pain, jaw function, oral habits, muscle thickness, spine posture, and psychological factors like stress and sleep quality.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: myofunctional therapy with or without added breathing or back exercises
What this could lead to: If the added exercises prove helpful, this could lead to better, more comprehensive treatment plans for jaw joint pain and related issues like stress and poor sleep.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed trial with only 63 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and the study does not test a drug or device, so any benefits are likely modest.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

63 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Oct 2024

Finished

Jun 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18-65 years old, * According to the Temporomandibular Disorders Research Diagnostic Criteria; * With muscle involvement, * With muscle+joint involvement * Those who volunteer to participate in the study will be included Exclusion Criteria: * According to the Temporomandibular Disorders Research Diagnostic Criteria; * Those with disc displacement without reduction, * Those with arthritis * Those with a known neurological, systemic or psychological disease, * Pregnant and lactating women, * Those who have had any trauma/surgical operation in the last 6 months, * Those with severe to severe local and/or general musculoskeletal pain, * Patients with an obstructive or restrictive respiratory problem, * Those with scoliosis that may cause respiratory problems will not be included

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Motor Activity temporomandibular joint disorder temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Myofunctional therapy Rehabilitation exercise Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Jaw pain relief: simple exercises may ease TMJ dysfunction

What the study statuses mean