Using paintings to help people describe and manage jaw (TMJ) pain
Assessment of the Impact of Art-Based Pain Assessment Tool on Pain Communication, Joint Function, and Anxiety in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial
PHASE3 · King Abdulaziz University · NCT07018791
This randomized trial will test whether adding an art-based tool to standard care helps adults with Wilkes stage I–II TMD better describe their pain, improve jaw function, and reduce anxiety.
Quick facts
| Phase | PHASE3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | King Abdulaziz University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Jeddah, Mecca Region) |
| Trial ID | NCT07018791 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This phase 3, single-center randomized trial at King Abdulaziz University compares routine conservative TMD care with routine care plus an Artistic Pain Exploration (APE) intervention. Participants will be shown selected paintings and guided to choose and discuss images that reflect their pain and experience, alongside standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Outcomes measured include pain communication, joint function, and anxiety at baseline and follow-up visits. The intervention is delivered in clinic as an adjunct to standard non-surgical management.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with Wilkes stage I or II TMD managed conservatively who can provide informed consent and are not regular opioid users.
Not a fit: Patients who need surgical treatment for TMD, those with severe psychotic or bipolar disorders, or regular opioid users are unlikely to benefit from this non-surgical expressive tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the APE approach could help patients communicate jaw pain more clearly to clinicians, allowing more personalized care and potentially reducing anxiety.
How similar studies have performed: Art-based and expressive therapies have shown some benefit for pain communication and anxiety in other conditions, but applying painting-based selection specifically to TMD is novel and not yet well-established in large trials.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older * Diagnosed with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) requiring conservative management only and classified as Wilkes' stage I or II * Able to understand and sign the informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Patients requiring surgical intervention for TMD * Presence of severe mental illness, such as psychotic disorders or bipolar affective disorders * Regular use of narcotic (opioid) pain medications
Where this trial is running
Jeddah, Mecca Region
- King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry — Jeddah, Mecca Region, Saudi Arabia (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Razan M Baabdullah, BDS, MS, FRCDC
- Email: rmsbaabdullah@kau.edu.sa
- Phone: +96655501567
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: Temporomandibular Disorders, Wilkes 1 and 2, TMJ Pain, TMJ - Oral &Amp, Maxillofacial Surgery, Art Therapy, TMD Art Pain Study, Temporomandibular joint disorders