Chewing sugar-free gum to measure jaw fatigue and muscle activity in young adults with and without TMD
Effect of Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Mastication on Fatigue of the Masticatory Muscles in Young Adults With and Without Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
This test checks whether chewing sugar-free gum for short repeated periods causes more jaw fatigue and changes in muscle electrical activity in young adults who have temporomandibular disorder compared with those who do not.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Milan Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Milan, Milan) |
| Trial ID | NCT07273123 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This case-control protocol compares young adults with diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) to healthy controls while they perform prolonged gum mastication. All participants receive baseline surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings, then chew sugar-free gum continuously for 3-minute intervals, alternating sides without rest. After each interval static and dynamic sEMG measurements are taken and participants rate their fatigue on a visual analogue scale; the 3-minute cycle may be repeated up to six times (maximum 18 minutes) and participants may stop earlier if fatigue is intolerable. Collected sEMG and self-reported fatigue data will be compared between groups to characterize differences in muscle response and perceived fatigue over time.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Young adults aged 19–35 who are at least occasional gum chewers and in generally good general and oral health, either with a clinical diagnosis of TMD (for the patient group) or without TMD (for healthy controls).
Not a fit: People outside the 19–35 age range or those with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, facial/cervical injuries, active dental disease, orthodontic appliances, or significant tooth loss are excluded and therefore unlikely to benefit from the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help identify simple, objective markers of jaw muscle fatigue that inform recommendations for chewing behavior or rehabilitation strategies for people with TMD.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work using surface EMG and chewing tasks has detected muscle activity differences in TMD, so this protocol builds on established methods though the specific prolonged repeated 3-minute intervals are less commonly reported.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria (both groups): * Age 19-35 years * Chewing-gum users, even occasional * Good general health * Good oral health Inclusion criteria (Healthy controls): \- no diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorders Inclusion criteria (study group) \- diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorders Exclusion criteria (both groups): * Non chewing gum users * History of neurological disorders * History of musculoskeletal diseases * History of facial or cervical injuries * Presence of cervical pain * Two or more missing teeth * Current treatment with fixed or removable orthodontic appliances * Active periodontal disease * Presence of cavitated carious lesions
Where this trial is running
Milan, Milan
- University of Milan — Milan, Milan, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Aesha Allam, DDS
- Email: aesha.allam@unimi.it
- Phone: +39 3276218958
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.