Post-Isometric Relaxation in Temporomandibular Disorders

Launched by SANEM ŞENER · Aug 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether adding a special muscle relaxation technique called Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) to regular posture exercises can better help young adults with moderate to severe jaw joint problems, known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). TMD can cause pain and difficulty moving the jaw, and this study wants to see if PIR can improve jaw movement, neck flexibility, and overall posture more than posture exercises alone.

The study will include 40 volunteers aged 18 to 25 who have had jaw pain and TMD symptoms for at least six months and have not had treatment for it recently. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups: one group will do posture exercises combined with PIR, and the other will do posture exercises only. The exercises will be done three times a week for six weeks. Before and after the program, researchers will measure jaw and neck movement and posture to see if PIR adds any extra benefit. If you qualify and join, you can expect to follow a guided exercise routine designed to improve jaw and neck function over about a month and a half.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age between 18 and 25 years
• • Diagnosis of moderate or severe temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) according to the Fonseca Anamnestic Questionnaire
• • Presence of TMD symptoms for at least 6 months
• • No TMD treatment received within the last 6 months
• • Presence of chewing muscle pain for at least 6 months
• • Able and willing to participate in the study and follow the exercise program
• • Signed informed consent form
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of jaw or facial trauma within the past year
• • History of temporomandibular joint surgery
• • Presence of systemic rheumatologic, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders affecting the jaw, neck, or spine
• • Pregnancy
• • Current participation in another clinical trial
• • Inability to perform the exercise program due to medical or physical limitations
• • Refusal to provide informed consent