Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Mandibular nerve electrical stimulation for TMJ pain and jaw function

Official title: Transcutaneous Mandibular Nerve Electrical Stimulation for the Management of Pain and Function in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders

Run by OrigenKinesis fisioterapia · NCT06265636 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will try percutaneous electrical stimulation of the mandibular nerve to reduce pain and improve jaw movement in people with myofascial temporomandibular disorder.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment40 (estimated)
SponsorOrigenKinesis fisioterapia
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Alcorcón, Madrid)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 17, 2024
Main results expectedJanuary 20, 2027
Study endsMay 1, 2027
Registry record updatedAugust 5, 2025
Trial IDNCT06265636 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with myofascial TMD diagnosed by RDC/TMD who have masticatory muscle pain and limited mouth opening (<40 mm), good general health, and who can provide written consent are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients with temporomandibular disc displacement, recent facial/head injury, prior craniocervical surgery, degenerative neurological disease, very short symptom duration (<2 weeks), or inability to follow instructions are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

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

What this trial studies

This single-center interventional study delivers percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) targeted to the mandibular (V3) branch of the trigeminal nerve alongside standard conservative care (manual therapy and exercise). Participants are adults diagnosed with myofascial temporomandibular disorder per RDC/TMD and limited mouth opening, without disc displacement. Outcomes include changes in pain, jaw opening, and functional measures over the treatment period. The protocol is minimally invasive and performed at an outpatient physiotherapy clinic in Alcorcón, Madrid.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce jaw pain and improve mouth opening and daily function using a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.

How similar studies have gone: Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation has shown benefit in other peripheral and musculoskeletal pain conditions, but non-surgical PENS specifically targeting the mandibular nerve has not been previously reported.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with local myofascial pain and/or increased tension in the masticatory muscles.
* Patients with myofascial pain from temporomandibular disorder (TMD) at the time, diagnosed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD).
* Absence of temporomandibular disc displacement with or without reduction.
* Pain in the masticatory muscles associated with limited mouth opening (\<40mm).
* Good general health (absence of chronic diseases that may affect the temporomandibular joint or masticatory muscles).
* Written consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Injury to the face or head during the research participation.
* Undergone surgical procedures performed in the craniocervical region and degenerative neurological diseases.
* Sudden illness of the patient that prevented participation in the study.
* Will to end participation in the study.
* Less than 2 weeks of evolution.
* Inability to understand instructions or sign the informed consent.
* Minor patients.
* Regular medication, such as muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or anxiolytics
* Facial paralysis.
* Presenting a disease or infectious/inflammatory process of dental origin.

Where it's running

  • Origenkinesis Fisioterapia
    Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.