Two-week gratitude journaling for temporomandibular (jaw) pain and overlapping chronic pain.

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 interventional study tests a two-week gratitude journaling activity compared with a general wellness journaling activity in adults with TMD and at least one other chronic overlapping pain condition. The primary aims are to determine whether participants can complete the two-week activity as planned (feasibility) and whether they find it acceptable. Participants attend two in-person visits at the study site to complete questionnaires and undergo pressure and heat sensitivity testing, and they complete the assigned journaling activity for two weeks. Secondary analyses explore whether gratitude journaling leads to reduced pain intensity and pain interference compared with general wellness journaling.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* participants between the ages of 18 and 80
* pain in the temporomandibular (TMD) region (jaw and/or temple area)
* duration of pain is at least 3 months
* average pain score ≥4 on a 0-10 numerical rating scale over the past week
* have at least one additional chronic overlapping pain condition (COPC) including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine-type headache, tension-type headache, low back pain, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome or chronic prostatitis, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, vulvodynia, and painful endometriosis.
* able to read, understand, and write in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

* history of TMD surgery
* neoplasm or injury/trauma to the TMD area
* cancer-related pain
* scheduled for any surgeries during the study time-frame
* current participation in another clinical trial or psychological treatment for any pain-related condition that would interfere with study outcomes
* pregnant or lactating
* severe motor impairments (e.g., muscular dystrophy)
* severe psychiatric conditions (e.g., uncontrolled mood disorders)
* severe neurological or cognitive impairments (e.g., uncontrolled Parkinson's disease)
* any other conditions that in the opinion of study investigators could make participation in the study unsafe
* use of opioids within 48 hours prior to laboratory visit

Where it's running

• University of Florida
  Gainesville, Florida, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Melissa Makhoul, PhD, MSN, RN
• Email: melissamakhoul@ufl.edu
• Phone: 352-246-3153

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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.