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Upper Cross SyndromeUCS-TMDNCT07456748

Upper Cross Syndrome and Temporomandibular Dysfunction in University Students

An observational study of Upper Cross Syndrome and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), run by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This cross-sectional observational study aims to investigate the relationship between Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS), a postural imbalance characterized by forward head posture and rounded shoulders, and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) in university students aged 18-35 years. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
How many people
27 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
4 Feb 2026to 27 Feb 2026
How long will I take part?
1 Day
Phase
Observational
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 to 35 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Study population: The study population consists of university students aged 18-35 years enrolled at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Gülhane. Participants are recruited voluntarily and represent a young adult population with similar academic workload and daily postural habits. The study includes students regardless of the presence or absence of temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms.

Who may be able to join

  • University students aged between 18 and 35 years
  • Voluntary participation
  • Signed informed consent

Who cannot join

  • History of jaw surgery
  • Presence of scoliosis or spinal disorders
  • History of shoulder or spinal surgery
  • Botulinum toxin injection in the facial or jaw region within the past year
  • Diagnosis of rheumatologic disease
  • Neurological, autoimmune, or significant psychological disorders
  • Known cervical pathology within the past year

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • University of Healt Sciences, Gülhane Faculty ofHealth Sciences

    Ankara, Ankara, 06018

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Investigation of the Association Between Upper Crossed Syndrome and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction in University Students: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional observational study aims to investigate the relationship between Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS), a postural imbalance characterized by forward head posture and rounded shoulders, and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) in university students aged 18-35 years. TMD is a musculoskeletal condition affecting the jaw joint and masticatory muscles, commonly associated with pain, limited mandibular movement, and joint sounds. Since cervical posture and jaw function are anatomically and biomechanically interconnected, postural alterations seen in UCS may be associated with temporomandibular dysfunction. In this study, participants will undergo a single-session assessment including postural angle measurements (craniovertebral angle, head-shoulder angle, thoracic kyphosis angle), temporomandibular joint clinical examination, mandibular range of motion measurements, and completion of the OHIP-14 questionnaire. No intervention will be applied.The findings are expected to contribute to understanding the association between upper body posture and jaw dysfunction in young adults and may provide guidance for interdisciplinary assessment and preventive strategies.

Read the detailed description

Temporomandibular Disorder is a musculoskeletal condition affecting the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles, and it may lead to pain, mandibular movement limitations, joint sounds, and functional impairment. Upper Cross Syndrome is a postural imbalance involving the head, cervical spine, and shoulder girdle, commonly characterized by forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis. The cervical spine, shoulder girdle, and temporomandibular region are anatomically and biomechanically interconnected. Alterations in head and shoulder posture may influence mandibular function through changes in muscle activity, joint loading, and cervical alignment. Therefore, postural changes associated with Upper Cross Syndrome may be related to temporomandibular symptoms and functional limitations. This observational cross-sectional study is designed to examine the correlation between Upper Cross Syndrome-related postural parameters and temporomandibular disorder-related clinical findings in university students aged 18-35 years. No intervention will be applied, and all assessments will be completed during a single assessment session. Participants will complete demographic and clinical information forms and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire to assess oral health-related quality of life. Temporomandibular joint assessment will include clinical examination and mandibular range of motion measurements, including maximum mouth opening, lateral deviation, and protrusion. Postural assessment will include craniovertebral angle, head-shoulder angle, and thoracic kyphosis angle measurements. Craniovertebral angle and head-shoulder angle will be assessed using standardized lateral-view photographs through the PhysioMaster® digital photogrammetry application. Thoracic kyphosis angle will be measured using the inclinometer function of the same application.The data obtained from this study will be used to examine the correlation between upper body postural alignment and temporomandibular dysfunction-related findings. The results may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between posture and jaw function in young adults and may provide guidance for interdisciplinary assessment approaches

Being tested
No Intervention: Observational Cohort
Keywords
Upper Cross Syndrome, Temporomandibular Disorder, Forward Head Posture, Craniovertebral Angle, University Students
Medical subject headings
Oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome type Preus, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • No Intervention: Observational CohortOther

    No intervention is administered. Participants undergo clinical TMJ assessment, mandibular range of motion measurements, and postural photography-based angle measurements.

Study groups in NCT07456748
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
University Students CohortSingle cohort of university students (18-35 years) assessed in one visit for Upper Cross Syndrome-related postural angles and temporomandibular dysfunction outcomes
Receives: Other: No Intervention: Observational Cohort

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Correlation Between Craniovertebral Angle and Mandibular Range of Motion

    The correlation between craniovertebral angle and mandibular range of motion will be assessed. Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees using standardized lateral-view digital photogrammetry with the PhysioMaster® application. Mandibular range of motion will include maximum mouth opening, right lateral deviation, left lateral deviation, and protrusion. Each mandibular movement will be measured separately in millimeters using a ruler and correlated with the craniovertebral angle measured in degrees using PhysioMaster® digital photogrammetry.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

  2. Correlation Between Head-Shoulder Angle and Mandibular Range of Motion

    The correlation between head-shoulder angle and mandibular range of motion will be assessed. Head-shoulder angle will be measured in degrees using standardized lateral-view digital photogrammetry with the PhysioMaster® application. Mandibular range of motion will include maximum mouth opening, right lateral deviation, left lateral deviation, and protrusion. Each mandibular movement will be measured separately in millimeters using a ruler and correlated with the head- shoulder angle measured in degrees using PhysioMaster® digital photogrammetry.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

  3. Correlation Between Thoracic Kyphosis Angle and Mandibular Range of Motion

    The correlation between thoracic kyphosis angle and mandibular range of motion will be assessed. Thoracic kyphosis angle will be measured in degrees using the inclinometer feature of the PhysioMaster® application. Mandibular range of motion will include maximum mouth opening, right lateral deviation, left lateral deviation, and protrusion. Each mandibular movement will be measured separately in millimeters using a ruler and correlated with the kyphosis angle measured in degrees using PhysioMaster® digital photogrammetry..

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

  4. Correlation Between Postural Angle Measurements and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 Score

    The correlation between each postural angle measurement and oral health-related quality of life will be assessed. Postural angle measurements will include thoracic kyphosis angle, head-shoulder angle, and craniovertebral angle, each measured separately using PhysioMaster®. Oral health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The total OHIP-14 score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

  5. Correlation Between Mandibular Range of Motion and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 Score

    The correlation between each mandibular range of motion measurement and oral health-related quality of life will be assessed. Mandibular range of motion will include maximum mouth opening, right lateral deviation, left lateral deviation, and protrusion, each measured separately in millimeters using a ruler. Oral health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Mandibular Range of Motion

    Maximum mouth opening, lateral deviation, and protrusion measured in millimeters using a ruler.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

  2. Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) Score

    Oral health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of 14 items grouped under 7 domains. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 = never to 4 = very often. The total score ranges from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome, reflecting a greater negative impact of oral health-related problems on quality of life.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

  3. Craniovertebral Angle

    Craniovertebral angle will be measured in degrees using standardized lateral-view digital photogrammetry with the PhysioMaster® application. This measurement will be used to assess forward head posture.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

  4. Head-Shoulder Angle

    Head-shoulder angle will be measured in degrees using standardized lateral-view digital photogrammetry with the PhysioMaster® application. This measurement will be used to assess rounded shoulder posture.

    Measured: At single assesment, Day 1

  5. Thoracic Kyphosis Angle

    Thoracic kyphosis angle will be measured in degrees using the inclinometer feature of the PhysioMaster® application. This measurement will be used to assess thoracic kyphosis.

    Measured: At single assessment, Day 1

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Mar 2026
  2. Study start4 Feb 2026
  3. Primary completion27 Feb 2026
  4. Study completion27 Feb 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
27 participants (actual)
Target duration
1 Day
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07456748
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025-060
Other IDs
46418926
Acronym
UCS-TMD
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
2 Mar 2026
Last updated
7 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations. The dataset contains sensitive health-related information collected from university students, and no data-sharing agreement has been established.

Publications

  • 1.Monalisa Pattnaik, M. P. T., & Mohanty, P. "Relationship between Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, Forward Head Posture and Severity of Neck Pain in Subjects with Neck Pain and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. 2. Keskin Tunç, S., Ünalan Değirmenci, B., Alpaslan Yaylı, N., Aslan, Ş., & Akdeniz, M. Ş. (2020). Evaluation the effects of low-level laser therapy on disc displacement with reduction. Turkish journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 66(1), 24-30. 3. P. V., C., & Vishwanath, S. (2022). Prevalence of upper-cross syndrome in college going students-a cross sectional study. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 11(1), 284-288. 4. Silveira, A., Gadotti, I. C., Armijo-Olivo, S., Biasotto-Gonzalez, D. A., & Magee, D. (2015). Jaw dysfunction is associated with neck disability and muscle tenderness in subjects with and without chronic temporomandibular disorders. BioMed research international, 2015, 512792. 5. Xiao, C. Q., Wan, Y. D., Li, Y. Q., Yan, Z. B., Cheng, Q. Y., Fan, P. D., Huang, Y., Wang, X. Y., & Xiong, X. (2023). Do Temporomandibular Disorder Patients with Joint Pain Exhibit Forward Head Posture? A Cephalometric Study. Pain research & management, 2023, 7363412. 6. Ghaffar, E., Sadia, U., Riaz, R., Mazhar, F., Tariq, R., Amjad, L., ... & Irshad, U. (2024).THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN UPPER CROSS SYNDROME AND TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(3), 1-5.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Upper Cross Syndrome and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), run by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 3 inclusion and 7 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 7 May 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?

Correlation Between Craniovertebral Angle and Mandibular Range of Motion (time frame: At single assessment, Day 1). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07456748, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 7 May 2026.

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