Examining how pain affects drinking habits in people with temporomandibular disorder

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the relationship between chronic pain from temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and alcohol consumption patterns in heavy drinkers. It aims to understand how pain influences drinking behavior both in controlled laboratory settings and in participants' daily lives. By comparing individuals with TMD pain to those without, the study seeks to identify modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with alcohol use. Participants will be monitored under different conditions to assess their drinking topography.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants in this study must be 21 years to 65 years of age and provide a driver's license or other state-issued ID.
* Participants must also be sufficiently fluent in English to provide informed consent and understand questionnaires and instructions for laboratory procedures.
* Participants must report drinking of, on average, at least 1 drink 3 days/week over the past 6 months.
* Meet Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for myalgia (masticatory muscle pain), arthralgia (TMJ pain), or a combination (Schiffman et al., 2014) (TMD group only).
* Own a smartphone with internet access.
* Use of prescription medications will be allowed, provided they do not contraindicate alcohol use.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Use of opioid analgesics within the past month;
* Current major depression;
* History of any psychotic disorder;
* Under-controlled hypertension or diabetes (as reflected by self-report); neurological disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease);
* Serious medical illness (e.g., hepatitis, HIV/AIDS);
* Impaired cognitive function;
* History of substance use disorder (including nicotine/tobacco);
* Alcohol naïve
* Alcohol use disorder, or currently attempting to quit or cut down on using alcohol
* Positive pregnancy test
* Breastfeeding or intending to become pregnant
* Loss of sensation in the lower leg
* Inability to complete study tasks due to weakness, immobilization, or loss of limbs
* Chronic pain (Control group only)
* A urine-based drug screen for tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, morphine, and methamphetamine (Innovacon, Inc., San Diego, CA) will be performed. Participants testing positive for any substance will be discontinued.
* Medications that contraindicate alcohol use

Where it's running

• University of Minnesota
  Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jeff Boissoneault — University of Minnesota
• Study coordinator: Jeff Boissoneault
• Email: jboisson@umn.edu
• Phone: 612-624-6357

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Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.