Mindfulness intervention for painful jaw disorders in university students

Effectiveness of Brief Mindfulness-Based Interventions (BMBI) for Painful Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) Among University Students

Not applicable Interventional University of Malaya · NCT06582134

This study is testing if a mindfulness program can help university students with painful jaw problems feel better and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Malaya Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsRadiation
Locations1 site (Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur)
Trial IDNCT06582134 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness-based intervention (BMBI) for university students suffering from painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Participants will engage in audio-guided mindfulness exercises three times a week for three months, while their pain intensity, jaw function, psychological distress, mindfulness state, and quality of life will be assessed at baseline and follow-up visits. The study will compare outcomes between those receiving the BMBI and a control group to determine the intervention's impact on chronic pain-related TMD.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are university students at Universiti Malaya who have chronic pain-related TMD and can engage with the mindfulness intervention.

Not a fit: Patients with hearing impairments, those currently on psychiatric medications, or individuals with prior experience in mindfulness practices may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide a non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While mindfulness interventions have shown promise in managing various pain conditions, this specific approach for TMD among university students is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Students attending Universiti Malaya
* Able to read and understand English.
* Willing and able to give informed consent.
* Score 3 and above on the TMD-PS, for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hearing impairment.
* Currently on psychiatric follow up and/or taking psychotropic prescriptions (antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers).
* Experience with activities similar to the intervention such as meditation, yoga or tai chi.
* Currently practicing some form of mindfulness meditation.
* History of orofacial trauma, craniofacial pathology, and previous orofacial surgeries (including orthognathic and TMJ)
* Systemic rheumatic, neurologic/neuropathic, endocrine (e.g., diabetes mellitus) or immune / autoimmune diseases or widespread pain or being treated with immunosuppressant drugs
* Non-TMD orofacial pain disorders
* Radiation treatment to head and neck.
* Use of narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxants or steroid therapy unless discontinued 1 week before enrolment to study
* Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications unless the medication(s) were discontinued for 3 days prior to enrolment (use of acetaminophen is allowed as a rescue drug)
* Currently on antibiotics or taken antibiotics within the last 2 weeks prior to start of study
* Currently pregnant or lactating women

Where this trial is running

Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur

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 DisordersChronic PainBrief mindfulness-based interventionTemporomandibular disordersUniversity students
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.