Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common reason to seek medical treatment. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are MSK disorders that affect the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint, and related structures in the neck and head. Current research showed that people with chronic TMDs have structural and functional brain changes that may contribute to chronic pain development and maintenance. Therapeutic exercise is a central component in treating chronic MSK conditions. New therapies, including exercise, appear to have potential in targeting cortical changes to improve clinical outcomes. However, mechanisms of action are not well understood, and evidence is limited to a few weak studies and specific populations. Evidence from our research group highlights neck exercise as potentially useful in treating TMDs. However, we do not yet know how the brains of women with TMD respond to specific exercise and whether these changes relate to decreased pain, improved function, and quality of life. Evidence linking brain plasticity, pain modulation, and exercise therapy is currently limited, and non-existent for people with TMDs. Objectives: In women with chronic TMD pain, we will:1) determine the impact of motor control training using visual feedback (MCTF) on clinical outcomes such as pain intensity and jaw disability, 2) assess the impact of MCTF on brain structure, using diffusion tensor imaging, 3) assess the impact of MCTF on brain networks, using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, and 4) determine the effectiveness of MCTF to restore normal muscular structure, performance and fatigability of neck cervical muscles, using electromyographic analysis. Methods: Women with chronic TMD pain will be randomized to either an intervention arm or a placebo control group. Women in the intervention arm will receive 8 weeks of progressive exercise MCTF of the cervical muscles, twice per week. Women in the placebo arm will receive innocuous transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (turn off). Our primary outcomes will be changes in 1) pain, measured with the Visual Analogue Scale, 2) brain structure and networks, measured by fractional anisotropy (brain structure) and the blood-oxygen-level dependent signal (brain networks). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, after 8 weeks of treatment, and 4 months after treatment ends. Results will directly inform and guide clinicians in prescribing more effective interventions for women with TMD
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Pain Intensity measured with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: Change from baseline at 2 months ( change from baseline at 6 months )
Fractional Anisotropy (FA)
Timeframe: Change from baseline at 2 months (change from baseline at 6 months (if budget allows))
functional brain networks
Timeframe: Change from baseline at 2 months (change from baseline at 6 months (if budget allows))