An Open Label Study Assessing REN Treatment in Headache Management in Temporomandibular Disorders (NCT07639944) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
An Open Label Study Assessing REN Treatment in Headache Management in Temporomandibular Disorders
United States40 participantsStarted 2026-05-04
Plain-language summary
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass a group of conditions involving the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and associated structures. TMD is the most common cause of non-odontogenic orofacial pain and is the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition. Up to 70% of the general population experiences signs and/or symptoms of TMD, with headache presenting as one of the most common manifestations. Recent studies highlight the comorbid presence of headache and TMD, hypothesizing that a relationship likely exists between the two conditions. Headache severity has also been associated with the number of TMD symptoms such that the prevalence of headache in TMD patients. A key mechanism underlying both TMD and migraine is the deficiency in Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM), a descending inhibitory pathway that regulates pain processing. CPM impairment has been implicated in chronic pain states, including both migraine and TMD, contributing to their frequent co-occurrence and shared pathophysiology.
Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) is an emerging non-pharmacological intervention that exerts its analgesic effects by activating the CPM system, which is deficient in individuals with TMD and migraine. The Nerivio REN wearable device is FDA-cleared for acute and/or migraine prevention, in patients 8 years of age or older. Given the evidence linking CPM dysfunction to TMD pathogenesis, REN presents a promising therapeutic approach to addressing both the underlying pain dysregulation and symptom burden in affected patients.
Who can participate
Age range
12 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
. Is of 12 years of age and older (inclusive; of any gender, race, or ethnicity)
. Meets diagnostic criteria for chronic TMD (Myalgia and/or Arthralgia) based on the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD)
. Has experienced TMD pain for at least 6 months
. Has experienced TMD pain at level ≥4 on a 0-10 scale for at least 10 days of the last 30 days
. Commits to not making any changes to TMD treatment regime (medication and/or non-medication), including not adding or removing treatment, and if on any existing treatment then maintaining the same treatment type, dosage, and frequency from 3 months prior to enrollment to study completion
. Naïve to REN treatment
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.