Jaw pain relief: which physical therapy technique works best?
NCT ID NCT07328269
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two common physical therapy techniques—Mulligan and Maitland mobilization—for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which causes jaw pain and limited movement. Thirty adults with TMJ pain will be randomly assigned to one of the two techniques, combined with muscle release and exercises, over six sessions in two weeks. The goal is to see which method better reduces pain and improves jaw mobility.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Mulligan mobilization and Maitland mobilization (physical therapy techniques)
- What this could lead to
- If one technique works better, it could point to a more effective physical therapy approach for easing jaw pain and improving movement.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage trial with only 30 people. Results may not apply to everyone with TMJ dysfunction, and the benefit over standard care is uncertain.
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
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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
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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19 to 44 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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 * Age 19-44 years. * Both Genders (Male and Female). * Patients diagnosed with TMJ hypomobility using the Manual Functional Analysis questionnaire based on DC/TMD criteria. * Individuals with myofascial pain, scoring above 5 on the NRS and pain upon palpation of at least two of eight masticatory and neck muscles. * Subjects with acute TMD and myofascial pain unrelated to active inflammation, infection, or recent trauma for at least six months. Exclusion criteria * Hypermobility of TMJs. * Pregnancy. * History of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. * A history of temporomandibular disorders treatment within last three months. * Acute trauma or injuries of face, head or cervical spine, neurological disorders, taking medication that could affect the musculoskeletal system.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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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
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
RECRUITINGIslamabad, Punjab Province, Pakistan
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- High-Tech mouthguards aim to stop teeth grinding pain
- Jaw pain relief: simple exercises may ease TMJ dysfunction
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- Childhood trauma linked to worse jaw function in new study