Comparing intraoral and extraoral manual therapy for jaw pain

Intraoral Versus Extraoral Manual Therapy in Subjects With Temporomandibular Disorders. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional University of Alcala · NCT05167656

This study is testing whether therapy done inside the mouth works better than therapy done outside the mouth for people with jaw pain from temporomandibular disorders.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Alcala Academic / other
Locations1 site (Alcalá de Henares, Madrid)
Trial IDNCT05167656 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoral manual therapy compared to extraoral manual therapy in patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two therapy groups or a control group, and their outcomes will be assessed based on pain levels, strength, quality of life, disability, and anxiety. The study seeks to determine which approach is more beneficial for managing symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with unilateral temporomandibular pain lasting more than one month and no prior treatment in the last three months.

Not a fit: Patients with systemic diseases, previous surgeries related to the jaw, or recent treatments for temporomandibular pain may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide patients with more effective treatment options for managing temporomandibular disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited information on similar studies, the comparative approach of this trial may provide new insights into effective treatments for temporomandibular disorders.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Unilateral temporomandibular pain for more than one month.
* Older than eighteen.
* No previous treatment to temporomandibular pain in the last 3 months.
* Diagnosed based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with cervical or cranial trauma or whiplash.
* Diagnosed with systemic disease, like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
* Diagnosed of any vascular or metabolic disease.
* Previous cervical or temporomandibular surgery.
* Dental, medicine or any physical therapy treatment in the last 3 months before the beginning of the interventions.

Where this trial is running

Alcalá de Henares, Madrid

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 Disorder
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.