Reducing masseter (jaw) muscle stiffness with a heat pad or a massage gun
Effects of Heat Application and Percussion Therapy on Masseter Muscle Stiffness Measured With Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography
NA · University of Zurich · NCT07237087
This study will test whether using a commercial heat pad or a commercial massage gun can reduce stiffness of the masseter (jaw) muscle in adults to help guide options for people with TMD.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Trial ID | NCT07237087 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized crossover study measures masseter muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography before and after two short treatments: a 2-minute massage-gun application and a 20-minute commercial heat pad. Participants undergo baseline ultrasound measurement and functional tests (mouth opening, pressure pain sensitivity, bite force, and chewing efficiency), receive one treatment, and repeat the tests; after a two-week washout they cross over to the other treatment. The primary outcome is change in surface muscle stiffness measured by elastography, with secondary functional and sensitivity measures recorded. All visits take place at the Zentrum für Zahnmedizin, University of Zurich, in healthy adult volunteers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who are healthy, able to give informed consent, can follow study procedures, and have not taken pain relievers, muscle relaxants, botox, or anti-inflammatory drugs in the past week.
Not a fit: People with systemic disease, contraindications to massage-gun use on the masseter, recent relevant drug use, or conditions that markedly alter muscle properties may not receive benefit from these short interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could support simple, noninvasive, widely available options to reduce jaw muscle stiffness and inform treatments for people with TMD.
How similar studies have performed: Local heat has shown modest benefits for muscle pain in prior work while percussion devices (massage guns) are less well studied for jaw muscles, and using shear wave elastography in this crossover format is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Willingness to participate to the study * Signed written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to follow procedures or insufficient knowledge of project language, inability to give consent * a history of drug ingestion within the past week (e.g. pain relievers, muscle relaxants, botox and anti-inflammatory drugs) * systemic diseases * Contraindications listed on the massage-gun instruction manual systemic and related to the use on the masseter area.
Where this trial is running
Zurich, Canton of Zurich
- Zentrum für Zahnmedizin — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Vera Colombo, PD Dr. sc. ETH
- Email: vera.colombo@zzm.uzh.ch
- Phone: +41 (0)44 634 33 11
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Healthy Participants, TMD, shear wave elastography, ultrasound, elastography, Elasticity Imaging Techniques, heat pad, massage gun