Reflex therapy and dry needling for jaw muscle and joint pain
Official title: Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Reflex Therapy Using Dry Needling in Patients With Functional Temporomandibular Pain Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study.
Run by Palacky University · NCT07321483 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will try adding dry needling to standard rehabilitation to see if adults with functional temporomandibular (jaw) pain get less pain, better jaw movement, and improved quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Palacky University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Olomouc) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 20, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | August 2, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07321483 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 or older with functional temporomandibular pain without structural joint damage, stable health for outpatient rehabilitation, and willingness to follow the treatment schedule are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with degenerative, post-traumatic, or inflammatory temporomandibular joint changes, or those with cognitive or psychiatric conditions that prevent cooperation, are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
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, randomized, controlled pilot trial enrolling 100 adults with functional temporomandibular pain who will be assigned to either standard rehabilitation alone or standard rehabilitation plus dry needling. The intervention consists of ten outpatient rehabilitation sessions delivered over five weeks, with dry needling added in the experimental group. Outcomes include pain intensity (VAS), jaw range of motion, joint sounds, and quality of life measured by WHOQOL-BREF, collected at baseline, immediately after the first session, and at treatment completion. Data will be analyzed with standard parametric or nonparametric tests and correlation analyses using IBM SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding dry needling could reduce jaw pain, improve jaw function, and enhance quality of life for people with functional temporomandibular pain.
How similar studies have gone: Small trials and pilot studies of dry needling for myofascial temporomandibular pain have shown short-term pain and function improvements, but high-quality long-term evidence remains limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with functional temporomandibular pain syndrome without structural temporomandibular joint damage. * Aged ≥18 years. * Stable health condition suitable for outpatient rehabilitation. * Willingness to participate and ability to follow the therapeutic protocol. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of degenerative, post-traumatic, or inflammatory changes in the temporomandibular joint. * Cognitive or psychiatric disorders limiting cooperation. * Lack of informed consent or non-compliance during treatment
Where it's running
-
Faculty of Health Sciences, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic
Olomouc, Czechia Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Petr Konečný, Ph.D, M.D., assoc.prof.
- Email: petr.konecny@upol.cz
- Phone: +420604573931
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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.