Combining manual therapy and vagus nerve stimulation for jaw pain relief

A Combined Treatment of Manual Therapy and Nervous Vagus Stimulation Versus a Treatment of Manual Therapy Isolated in Patients With Myogenic Temporomandibular Disorders

Not applicable Interventional University of Alcala · NCT05272488

This study is testing if combining manual therapy with vagus nerve stimulation can help people with jaw pain feel better and improve their jaw movement.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Alcala Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Alcalá de Henares, Madrid and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05272488 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of combining manual therapy with vagus nerve stimulation in treating myogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The approach aims to address both muscle and nerve influences on pain and jaw functionality. Patients will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group receiving both treatments or a control group receiving manual therapy with a placebo for vagus nerve stimulation. The study will evaluate pain reduction, joint range of motion, and overall quality of life improvements. A team of physiotherapists will manage treatment, screening, and statistical analysis to ensure unbiased results.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults experiencing myogenic pain related to TMD with reduced jaw function and no recent physiotherapy treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with joint or mixed origin TMD, severe systemic diseases, or those on specific medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly reduce pain and improve jaw function for patients suffering from TMD.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of manual therapy and vagus nerve stimulation is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in treating pain through manual therapy alone.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of myogenic pain according to the CD / TTM diagnostic criteria.
* Presence of pain during the last 30 days.
* Patients with decreased jaw function and mobility due to pain.
* Patients who have not received physiotherapy treatment in the last 3 weeks.
* Patients of legal age.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with drug treatment: sedatives, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, anxiolytics or muscle relaxants.
* Patients with cardiac pacemakers and implanted defibrillators. Patients diagnosed with severe cardiorespiratory and / or respiratory diseases, carcinogenic processes, infectious processes and / or systemic pathologies.
* Clinical diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder of joint or mixed origin according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (CD / TMD).
* Patients with psychiatric or psychological disorders, intellectual or motor deficiencies that, due to their nature, prevent them from correctly performing the prescribed exercises, correctly following the physiotherapist's instructions or understanding the questionnaires and / or measurement scales of the variables.
* Patients with dental processes scheduled during the study period or who have undergone surgery in the last 3 months.
* Patients with suspicion or certainty that their pain has appeared as a consequence of a local or general trauma.
* Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain or degenerative diseases

Where this trial is running

Alcalá de Henares, Madrid and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Temporomandibular Joint DisordersPainTemporomandibular JointManual therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.