Can jaw and neck exercises ease TMJ pain?

NCT ID NCT07828587

Symptom relief Sponsor: Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Sep 18, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Summary

Researchers test whether a combination of orofacial myofunctional therapy and cervical stabilization exercises can reduce jaw pain and improve function in adults with anterior disc displacement with reduction, a common temporomandibular disorder. The trial enrolls 80 adults aged 18 to 35 who have jaw clicking and pain. Participants perform targeted exercises for the jaw, tongue, and neck muscles, and researchers measure changes in mouth opening, pain intensity, bite force distribution, and jaw-related daily limitations.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: orofacial myofunctional therapy combined with cervical stabilization exercises
What this could lead to: If the combined therapy helps, it could offer a non-surgical way to reduce jaw pain and improve mouth opening for people with a common jaw joint disorder.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early study, so any benefits may be modest or not hold up in larger trials. Exercises require regular practice, and results may not apply to other types of jaw problems.

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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

About 80 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Feb 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

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 35 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: * All genders * Aged between 18-35 years * Intra-articular, anterior disc displacement with reduction of TMJ, based on RDC/TMD criteria * Axis-I, group II - Disc displacement with reduction * Clinically diagnosed patients with Anterior Disc Displacement with Reduction (ADDR) from Maxillo-facial surgery department * Diagnostic screening will be conducted using a cluster of clinical tests, including jaw compression, traction, and translation maneuvers, static and dynamic resistance testing, and clenching provocation * A positive diagnosis will be established when five of the six tests demonstrate positive findings * All patients and subjects had permanent dentition; none had dental pain or periodontal problems, neurological or cognitive deficit * Symptoms persist for ≥ 3 months * Pain should not be less than 4/10 on NPRS * Maximum mouth opening ≥ 40mm * Maximum relative occlusal load (50% rule) Exclusion Criteria: * Severe systemic conditions affecting muscles or joints (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, generalized joint hypermobility, neuromuscular disorders). * Any psychiatric or neurological disorders interfering with adherence (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, major psychiatric illness such as anxiety, stress, or depression). * Previous TMJ surgery, arthroscopy, arthrocentesis, or injection therapy in the past 6 months. * Ongoing dental appliance therapy (splints/braces) unless stabilized for at least 3 months. * Suspected neoplasm, infection, or fracture in the craniofacial region. * Progressive neurological deficits (e.g., facial numbness, motor weakness). * Severe or constant night pain not relieved by rest (which may indicate pathology beyond disc displacement with reduction). * Insomnia or disturbed sleep quality.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

temporomandibular joint disorder temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Disc displacement Temporo-mandibular dysfunction Temporomandibular disorders (TMDS)

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Can jaw and neck exercises ease TMJ pain?

What the study statuses mean