CompletedNot Applicable

Dry Needling for Temporomandibular Disorder

Turkey (Türkiye)40 participantsStarted 2025-07-28

Plain-language summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates the clinical effectiveness of dry needling in individuals with myofascial temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The study compares dry needling applied to trigger points in the masseter and temporalis muscles with conventional physical therapy. Primary outcomes include changes in pain intensity, and muscle EMG. Given these considerations, this study aims to investigate the clinical acute effectiveness of dry needling applied to the masseter and temporalis muscles in individuals diagnosed with myofascial TMD.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 45 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria * Patients aged between 18 and 45 years presenting with complaints of jaw pain to the Department of Dentistry at A University. * Diagnosed with myofascial pain associated with temporomandibular dysfunction by a dentist, based on the Axis I criteria of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). * Jaw pain persisting for at least three months. * Pain elicited upon palpation of the masseter and/or temporalis muscles. * Presence of clicking or crepitus in the temporomandibular joint during mandibular movements. * Self-reported jaw muscle fatigue or stiffness, particularly upon awakening. Exclusion Criteria * History of any confirmed or suspected inflammatory or neurological condition. * Presence of any oral or dental infection. * Any cognitive or communication impairment affecting data collection. * History of head or facial trauma. * Allergy to metals.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Jaw pain intensity

Timeframe: Baseline and After 10-minute

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07123883

SponsorAtlas University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-08-08

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More TMD/Orofacial Pain trials