Peloid (therapeutic mud) treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
Official title: The Effect of Peloid Therapy on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Run by Uşak University · NCT07576582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will try applying peloid (therapeutic mud) to the jaw and chewing muscles for two weeks to see if it reduces pain and improves jaw function in adults with temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Uşak University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Uşak, Merkez) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07576582 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–65 with a DC/TMD diagnosis, TMJ-related pain for at least four weeks, baseline pain ≥3/10, and ability to attend daily treatments and provide informed consent are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with prior TMJ surgery, active infection or acute inflammation, systemic inflammatory rheumatic disease, pregnancy, open wounds or dermatitis at the application site, or recent injection/regular physical therapy for TMJ are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
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, single-group interventional study delivering local peloid therapy to the temporomandibular joint region and masticatory muscles for 20 minutes per session, five days per week over two weeks. Adults meeting DC/TMD criteria with at least four weeks of TMJ-related pain and baseline pain ≥3/10 will be enrolled, and those with prior TMJ surgery, active infection, systemic inflammatory disease, pregnancy, or skin conditions preventing application are excluded. Outcomes measured at baseline and at end of treatment include Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8, visual analog scale for pain, Fonseca index, maximum mouth opening, and secondary otalgia assessment. The protocol aims to provide standardized, short-course local thermotherapy data where prospective evidence for peloid use in TMJ dysfunction is limited.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, this could offer a noninvasive, low-cost option to reduce TMJ pain, improve jaw function, and potentially relieve referred ear pain.
How similar studies have gone: Small trials and balneotherapy reports suggest mud/peloid treatments can help musculoskeletal pain, but prospective data specific to temporomandibular joint dysfunction are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 years * Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction based on DC/TMD criteria * Presence of TMJ-related pain for at least 4 weeks * Baseline pain intensity ≥3 on a 0-10 visual analog scale * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * History of temporomandibular joint trauma, tumor, active infection, or acute inflammation * Previous temporomandibular joint surgery * Presence of systemic inflammatory rheumatologic disease * Pregnancy * Open wound, active dermatitis, or skin condition preventing peloid application at the treatment site * Injection therapy (e.g., botulinum toxin) or regular physical therapy for TMJ within the past 3 months * Any clinical or behavioral condition that may interfere with study compliance
Where it's running
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Uşak University Faculty of Medicine
Uşak, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Faruk Kadri Bakkal, MD, Asistant Professor
- Email: fkbakkal@gmail.com
- Phone: +90 276 224 00 00
Similar studies
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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.