PainNCT05851586
Physical Therapy Intervention in Dental Students
A study testing Supervised exercise + home exercise program and Home exercise program only in people with Pain and Strength, run by Joshua Subialka at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Pain, Strength, Quality of Life
- What is being tested?
- Supervised exercise + home exercise program and Home exercise program only
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2023to 12 Aug 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults ages 18+
- Current 2nd year university dental students
Who cannot join
- Any type of musculoskeletal surgery in the past 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Intervention in Pre-Clinical Dental Students
The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. Secondary aims will be to assess relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.
Read the detailed description
Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain has been identified as a major concern among dental professionals. This can lead to decreased productivity, efficiency and quality of work along with higher costs for the medical system. The body region that is affected the most is the neck, followed by the back and shoulders.
Ergonomic assessments and interventions can identify the areas of concern with workplace set up, however, training the muscles to adapt to abnormal postures may be an effective way of increasing the resilience of the MSK system while decreasing MSK pain as well. Specifically, strength training and stretching has been well researched as a way to prevent and improve pain for neck pain, low back pain and shoulder pain. Physical therapists are well trained in prevention and treatment of injuries, including a wealth of knowledge regarding strength training and stretching for specific regions. The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength
Thus, the main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. The secondary aim will be to assess the relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.
- Conditions
- Pain, Strength, Quality of Life
- Being tested
- Supervised exercise + home exercise program, Home exercise program only
- Keywords
- Dental students, Supervised exercise, Home exercise program, Strength, Quality of life
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Supervised exercise + home exercise programProcedure or surgery
The supervised exercise + home exercise program group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist. They will also be provided with two supervised exercise sessions per month delivered in a group setting in order to ensure proper performance of the home exercise programs.
Home exercise program onlyProcedure or surgery
The home exercise program only group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist, without any supervised guidance on exercise performance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised exercise + home exercise program | Experimental | The intervention group (supervised exercise) which will receive supervised strengthening and stretching exercises by a licensed physical therapist in a group setting 2 times per month for 30 minutes each session as well as a home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for various body parts (focusing on neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist) that will be identical to the home exercise program only group. Receives: Procedure: Supervised exercise + home exercise program |
| Home exercise program only | Active comparator | The home exercise program only group will be provided with a written home exercise program consisting of general stretching and strengthening exercises for various body parts (focusing on neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist). The exercise programs will be identical for both the supervised exericse and the home exercise program only groups. Receives: Procedure: Home exercise program only |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.
Measured: Baseline
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.
Measured: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.
Measured: 11 months
Pain Intensity
Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)
Measured: Baseline
Pain Intensity
Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)
Measured: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Pain Intensity
Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)
Measured: 11 months
Secondary outcomes (12)
Pec Minor Length Test
Supine measurement in centimeters from table
Measured: Baseline, intervention conclusion (7 months), and 4 month follow up prior to beginning clinical rotations.
Pec Minor Length Test
Supine measurement in centimeters from table
Measured: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Pec Minor Length Test
Supine measurement in centimeters from table
Measured: 11 months
Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: Baseline
Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Patient prone with arms abducted to 90 degrees and externally rotated, resisting horizontal adduction. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: 11 months
Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: Baseline
Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Patient prone with arms abducted 120 degrees and externally rotated, resisting downward force. Measured in lbs or Newtons using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: 11 months
Cervical Flexor Endurance Test
Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.
Measured: Baseline
Cervical Flexor Endurance Test
Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.
Measured: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Cervical Flexor Endurance Test
Patient in supine will be asked to tuck the chin and lift their head maintaining the chin tuck. Measured in seconds for as long as they can maintain appropriate quality of movement.
Measured: 11 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 May 2023
- Study start1 Sep 2023
- Primary completion12 Aug 2024
- Study completion12 Aug 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Joshua Subialka
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Joshua Subialka, Midwestern University
- Investigators
- Lacey Frankland, DPT, Principal investigator, Midwestern University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05851586
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AZ-5178
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 20 Apr 2023
- Last updated
- 30 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Intervention in Pre-Clinical Dental Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05851586
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AZ-5178
- Conditions
- Pain, Strength, Quality of Life
- Keywords
- Dental students, Supervised exercise, Home exercise program, Strength, Quality of life
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Joshua SubialkaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 12 Aug 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 May 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. Secondary aims will be to assess relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.
Detailed description
Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain has been identified as a major concern among dental professionals. This can lead to decreased productivity, efficiency and quality of work along with higher costs for the medical system. The body region that is affected the most is the neck, followed by the back and shoulders.
Ergonomic assessments and interventions can identify the areas of concern with workplace set up, however, training the muscles to adapt to abnormal postures may be an effective way of increasing the resilience of the MSK system while decreasing MSK pain as well. Specifically, strength training and stretching has been well researched as a way to prevent and improve pain for neck pain, low back pain and shoulder pain. Physical therapists are well trained in prevention and treatment of injuries, including a wealth of knowledge regarding strength training and stretching for specific regions. The main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength
Thus, the main purpose of our study is to assess whether guided strength training and stretching intervention with a written home exercise program is more effective than a home exercise program alone for pre-clinical dental students in improving and preventing pain associated with dental laboratory practice. The secondary aim will be to assess the relationships between strength and quality of life measures of an individual and pain levels.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised exercise + home exercise program | Experimental | Procedure: Supervised exercise + home exercise programThe intervention group (supervised exercise) which will receive supervised strengthening and stretching exercises by a licensed physical therapist in a group setting 2 times per month for 30 minutes each session as well as a home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for various body parts (focusing on neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist) that will be identical to the home exercise program only group. |
| Home exercise program only | Active comparator | Procedure: Home exercise program onlyThe home exercise program only group will be provided with a written home exercise program consisting of general stretching and strengthening exercises for various body parts (focusing on neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist). The exercise programs will be identical for both the supervised exericse and the home exercise program only groups. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Adults ages 18+
- Current 2nd year university dental students
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Any type of musculoskeletal surgery in the past 6 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised exercise + home exercise programThe supervised exercise + home exercise program group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist. They will also be provided with two supervised exercise sessions per month delivered in a group setting in order to ensure proper performance of the home exercise programs. | Procedure or surgery | Supervised exercise + home exercise program |
| Home exercise program onlyThe home exercise program only group will receive a written home exercise program with general stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulder and hand/wrist, without any supervised guidance on exercise performance. | Procedure or surgery | Home exercise program only |
Primary outcome
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
Time frame: Baseline
PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
Time frame: 11 months
PROMIS® is a publicly available system of highly reliable, precise measures of patient-reported health status for physical, mental, and social well-being. This will be measured via electronic survey.
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline
Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)
Pain Intensity
Time frame: 11 months
Visual analog scale (0-10 rating)
12 secondary outcomes
Pec Minor Length Test
Time frame: Baseline, intervention conclusion (7 months), and 4 month follow up prior to beginning clinical rotations.
Pec Minor Length Test
Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Pec Minor Length Test
Time frame: 11 months
Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Time frame: Baseline
Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Middle Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Time frame: 11 months
Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Time frame: Baseline
Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Lower Trapezius Manual Muscle Test
Time frame: 11 months
Cervical Flexor Endurance Test
Time frame: Baseline
Cervical Flexor Endurance Test
Time frame: Intervention conclusion (7 months)
Cervical Flexor Endurance Test
Time frame: 11 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Pain
Recruiting
Dry Needling in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Active, not recruiting
A Collaborative Intervention for Improving Cancer Pain Management in Cancer Survivors
Hematopoietic and Lymphoid System Neoplasm, Malignant Solid Neoplasm
Not yet recruiting
Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block and Quadro-Iliac Plane Block in Elective Primary Unilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty
Postoperative Pain, Hip Arthroplasty, Total
RecruitingPhase 3
Evaluation of IV AMBTX-01 (Neridronate) for Treatment of CRPS Type 1 (CRPS-RISE)
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I
Not yet recruitingPhase 4
Methylprednisolone Taper is an Effective Addition to Multimodal Pain Regimens After Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Lacey Frankland, DPT principal investigator
Midwestern University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Supervised exercise + home exercise program and Home exercise program only in people with Pain and Strength, run by Joshua Subialka at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Sep 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 30 Oct 2026.