NCT07437313

Marine Lipids Ease Painful TMD

Safety And Analgesic Efficacy of Marine Lipid Precursors of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators in Adults With Chronic Temporomandibular Pain

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The ADAPT study is a single-site, Phase 2b, randomized, quadruple-masked, placebo-controlled trial evaluating an omega-3 dietary supplement enriched with specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) precursors in adults with chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. The trial will enroll 100 adults aged 18 years or older with examiner-confirmed TMD myalgia or arthralgia will be enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Adams School of Dentistry. Participants are randomized 1:1 to receive either the SPM precursor supplement or a matched placebo daily for 8 weeks. Randomization is stratified by sex, and study agents are identical in appearance to maintain masking. The study aims to evaluate whether the SPM precursor supplement: Reduces facial pain intensity compared with placebo. Changes pressure pain sensitivity at the jaw and other standard body sites. Affects other aspects of chronic pain, including duration, interference with daily activities, headache burden, anxiety, depression, jaw-related quality of life, and overall patient-reported change. Participants will record their daily facial pain intensity in electronic diaries, complete short questionnaires at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8, and undergo experimental pain testing with a handheld algometer at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8. Safety is monitored through the documentation of all adverse events throughout the study period.

Detailed description

Study Overview Participant Procedures Screening/Baseline (Visit 0-1): DC-TMD examination to confirm eligibility; review of medications and health history; baseline questionnaires; pressure pain threshold testing; body manikin pain mapping. Daily Diaries: Participants record facial pain intensity (0-100 NRS) each day for 8 weeks. Mid-study Assessment (Week 4, Visit 2): Questionnaires for pain, mood, quality of life; pressure pain threshold testing. Final Visit (Week 8, Visit 3): Repeat questionnaires, pressure pain testing, and body manikin assessments; blood collection for polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/oxylipin analysis. Follow-up Call (1 week post-intervention): Safety check for adverse events. Study Duration Total participation: up to 12 weeks (pre-screening, 8-week intervention, 1-week follow-up). Assessments at baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and follow-up call. Population and Recruitment Adults ≥18 years with examiner-confirmed TMD myalgia or arthralgia. Participants of all races and ethnicities are eligible; anticipated demographics: \~77% female, 6% Hispanic, 83% White, 8% African American, 9% other. Overall Goal To provide high-quality evidence on the effects of omega-3 SPM precursors on facial pain, pressure pain sensitivity, psychosocial distress, headache burden, jaw-related quality of life.

Conditions

• Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	SPM Precursor-Enriched Marine Lipid Supplement	Participants receive omega-3 SPM precursor-enriched marine lipid softgels administered daily for 8 weeks at the dose specified in the protocol.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Medium-Chain Triglyceride Supplement	Participants receive matched placebo softgels daily for 8 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-08-01
• Primary completion: 2030-01-01
• Completion: 2030-12-01
• First posted: 2026-02-27
• Last updated: 2026-02-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States