NCT07321483

Reflex Therapy of Temporomandibular Dysfunctions

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Reflex Therapy Using Dry Needling in Patients With Functional Temporomandibular Pain Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study.

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Palacky University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with functional temporomandibular pain syndrome by comparing standard rehabilitation therapy alone with therapy combined with dry needling to reduce pain, improve jaw function and enhance quality of life.

Detailed description

This prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of dry needling in patients with functional temporomandibular pain syndrome. A total of 100 participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group receiving standard rehabilitation combined with dry needling therapy, and a control group undergoing standard rehabilitation only. The intervention program will consist of ten outpatient rehabilitation sessions conducted over five weeks. Outcome measures will include pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), temporomandibular joint range of motion, presence of joint sound phenomena, and quality of life assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire). Measurements will be collected at baseline, immediately after the first therapy session, and upon completion of the treatment cycle. Descriptive statistics will be used for data analysis. The Shapiro-Wilk test will assess data normality. Between-group differences will be analyzed using parametric (t-test) or nonparametric (Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon) tests, depending on data distribution. Correlation analyses will be performed using Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients. Statistical significance will be set at p \< 0.05. All statistical analyses will be conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 29.0 (Armonk, NY, USA).

Conditions

• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction; Myofascial Pain Syndrome; Orofacial Pain; Musculoskeletal Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Dry needling	One dry needling intervention targeting trigger points in the masseter and temporalis muscles during the first treatment session
PROCEDURE	Standard rehabilitation	The therapy will include mobilization, soft tissue relaxation techniques, and specific exercises focused on improving temporomandibular joint mobility and reducing muscle tension.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-20
• Primary completion: 2026-07-01
• Completion: 2026-08-02
• First posted: 2026-01-07
• Last updated: 2026-01-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Czechia