Journaling Intervention for Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and Chronic Overlapping Pain

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · May 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a 2-week gratitude journaling activity can help individuals with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and chronic overlapping pain. The researchers want to find out if people can easily do the journaling, if they find it helpful, and whether it can reduce their pain and improve their daily life. Participants will be asked to write in their journal on three days each week, alongside attending two in-person visits where they will complete questionnaires and tests to measure their sensitivity to pressure and heat.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be between 18 and 80 years old, have pain in the jaw or temple area for at least three months, and rate their average pain as 4 or higher on a scale from 0 to 10. They should also have at least one additional chronic pain condition like fibromyalgia or migraines. It's important to note that certain people, such as those who have had TMD surgery or are currently pregnant, cannot participate. The study is not yet recruiting participants, but it offers a unique opportunity for those dealing with TMD and chronic pain to explore a potential new way to manage their symptoms.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• 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