Reducing masseter (jaw) muscle stiffness with a heat pad or a massage gun

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

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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.