Masticatory Muscle Activity with a 24-Hour Wearable Device
Official title: Reevaluating the Role of Masticatory Muscle Activity in Chronic Myofascial Pain Using a 24-Hour Wearable Device
Run by Midwestern University · NCT07861906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether real-world jaw muscle activity relates to stress and parafunctional habits in people with chronic masticatory myofascial pain compared with healthy controls using a wearable EMG device.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Midwestern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Downers Grove, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07861906 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with clinician-diagnosed chronic masticatory myofascial pain or healthy adults matched by age and sex, able to connect to the Internet and read English or Italian.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants without chronic MFP or those whose pain is unrelated to daily muscle activity may not derive direct benefit from the study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, longitudinal, case-control observational study enrolling 50 participants (25 with chronic masticatory myofascial pain and 25 healthy controls) from Midwestern University clinics. Participants will wear a device to monitor jaw muscle activity for 24 hours and complete baseline questionnaires on bruxism, anxiety/depression, and perceived stress. The goal is to see if real-world muscle activity patterns align with stress and parafunctional behaviors, and how these patterns differ between patients and controls. Data will be analyzed to identify associations between ambulatory EMG activity and self-reported psychosocial factors. No interventional treatment is provided in this observational protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve understanding of how daily stress and habits influence jaw muscle activity in chronic MFP.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational work has explored associations between stress, parafunctional behavior, and muscle activity, but direct real-world measurement with ambulatory EMG in this specific population is less established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
For the chronic myofascial pain group, the Inclusion Criteria are: * Patients of record of the dental institutes at Midwestern University, College of Dental Medicine-Illinois * Receiving a diagnosis of chronic masticatory myofascial pain according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders after a consult with the orofacial pain specialist * Reporting painful symptomatology on the day of the monitoring * Age 18+ * Ability to connect to the Internet * Ability to read and speak English or Italian language Exclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing orthodontic treatments * Not on stable medication regimen on the day of the monitoring * Starting to wear an occlusal appliance on the day of the monitoring * Changed occlusal appliance within the past 3 months For the healthy control group, Inclusion Criteria are: * Sex and age-matched otherwise healthy adults (without any pain-related masticatory myofascial pain upon examination) * Patients of record of the dental institutes at Midwestern University, College of Dental Medicine-Illinois * Ability to connect to the Internet * Ability to read and speak English language Exclusion criteria: * Patients undergoing orthodontic treatments * Not on stable medication regimen on the day of the monitoring * Starting to wear an occlusal appliance on the day of the monitoring * Changed occlusal appliance within the past 3 months
Where it's running
-
Midwestern University
Downers Grove, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Linda Sangalli
- Email: lsanga@midwestern.edu
- Phone: 630-743-4617
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.