Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)NCT07576582
Peloid Therapy in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
A study testing Local Peloid Therapy in people with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) and Pain, run by Uşak University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This prospective, single-group clinical study will evaluate whether local peloid therapy improves pain and jaw function in adults with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Participants will receive peloid therapy applied to the temporomandibular joint region and masticatory muscles for 20 minutes per session, 5 days… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs), Pain, Otalgia
- What is being tested?
- Local Peloid Therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to 1 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction based on DC/TMD criteria
- Presence of TMJ-related pain for at least 4 weeks
- Baseline pain intensity ≥3 on a 0-10 visual analog scale
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- History of temporomandibular joint trauma, tumor, active infection, or acute inflammation
- Previous temporomandibular joint surgery
- Presence of systemic inflammatory rheumatologic disease
- Pregnancy
- Open wound, active dermatitis, or skin condition preventing peloid application at the treatment site
- Injection therapy (e.g., botulinum toxin) or regular physical therapy for TMJ within the past 3 months
- Any clinical or behavioral condition that may interfere with study compliance
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Uşak University Faculty of Medicine
Uşak, Merkez, 64420
Faruk Kadri Bakkal, +90 276 224 00 00 ext. 4238, fkbakkal@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Peloid Therapy on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
This prospective, single-group clinical study will evaluate whether local peloid therapy improves pain and jaw function in adults with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Participants will receive peloid therapy applied to the temporomandibular joint region and masticatory muscles for 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. Pain and functional outcomes will be measured at baseline and at the end of treatment using validated clinical scales, including the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8, visual analog scale pain scores, Fonseca index, maximum mouth opening, and secondary otalgia assessment.
Read the detailed description
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is associated with pain, impaired chewing, restricted jaw function, and, in some patients, referred otalgia. Conservative treatment options are commonly used as first-line management, but the clinical evidence for some physical therapy modalities remains limited.
Peloid therapy is a local thermotherapeutic intervention used in balneotherapy and physical medicine. It may provide analgesic and muscle-relaxing effects through superficial heat and local tissue responses. However, prospective data evaluating its clinical effect in temporomandibular joint dysfunction are limited.
This study is designed to assess changes in jaw-related functional limitation and pain after a standardized 2-week course of local peloid therapy in adults diagnosed with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Functional status, pain intensity, mouth opening, symptom severity, and secondary otalgia will be assessed before and after treatment using standardized clinical measures.
The study may provide additional evidence on the role of peloid therapy as a conservative supportive treatment option for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
- Conditions
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs), Pain, Otalgia
- Being tested
- Local Peloid Therapy
- Keywords
- TMJ Disorders, pain, otalgia
- Medical subject headings
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, Pain, Earache
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Local Peloid TherapyOther
Participants will receive local peloid therapy applied externally over the temporomandibular joint region and adjacent masticatory muscles. The treatment will be delivered as 10 sessions over 2 weeks, with 5 sessions per week. Each session will last 20 minutes. Peloid therapy will be administered by a trained investigator according to the study protocol.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Peloid Therapy | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Local Peloid Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Jaw Function Score at Week 2
Jaw function will be assessed using the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8). This is a patient-reported questionnaire that measures limitation in jaw activities such as chewing, speaking, and mouth opening. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no functional limitation and 10 indicates the highest level of limitation. The primary outcome will be the change in JFLS-8 total score from baseline to Week 2.
Measured: Baseline and Week 2
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 May 2026
- Study start1 Apr 2026
- Primary completion1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)Studies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Uşak University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07576582
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PT-TMJ
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 2 May 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations. De-identified aggregate data may be available from the corresponding investigator upon reasonable request.
Publications
Sun R, Liu T, Liu Y, Zhang S, Yue Y, Jiang N, Zhang L, Xiong X. Simplified Jaw Functional Limitation Scale for Temporomandibular Disorders: Psychometric Evaluation. Oral Dis. 2025 Jun;31(6):1854-1860. doi: 10.1111/odi.15253. Epub 2025 Jan 10.
PubMed 39791447Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E, Look J, Anderson G, Goulet JP, List T, Svensson P, Gonzalez Y, Lobbezoo F, Michelotti A, Brooks SL, Ceusters W, Drangsholt M, Ettlin D, Gaul C, Goldberg LJ, Haythornthwaite JA, Hollender L, Jensen R, John MT, De Laat A, de Leeuw R, Maixner W, van der Meulen M, Murray GM, Nixdorf DR, Palla S, Petersson A, Pionchon P, Smith B, Visscher CM, Zakrzewska J, Dworkin SF; International RDC/TMD Consortium Network, International association for Dental Research; Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group, International Association for the Study of Pain. Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: recommendations of the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network* and Orofacial Pain Special Interest Groupdagger. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014 Winter;28(1):6-27. doi: 10.11607/jop.1151.
PubMed 24482784Ramazani F, Szalay-Anderson C, Batista AV, Park P, Hwang E, Chau J, Lui J. Referred otalgia: Common causes and evidence-based strategies for assessment and management. Can Fam Physician. 2023 Nov;69(11):757-761. doi: 10.46747/cfp.6911757.
PubMed 37963787Kuttila SJ, Kuttila MH, Niemi PM, Le Bell YB, Alanen PJ, Suonpaa JT. Secondary otalgia in an adult population. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001 Apr;127(4):401-5. doi: 10.1001/archotol.127.4.401.
PubMed 11296048
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Peloid Therapy on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07576582
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PT-TMJ
- Conditions
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs), Pain, Otalgia
- Keywords
- TMJ Disorders, pain, otalgia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Uşak UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 May 2026 (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.
This prospective, single-group clinical study will evaluate whether local peloid therapy improves pain and jaw function in adults with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Participants will receive peloid therapy applied to the temporomandibular joint region and masticatory muscles for 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. Pain and functional outcomes will be measured at baseline and at the end of treatment using validated clinical scales, including the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8, visual analog scale pain scores, Fonseca index, maximum mouth opening, and secondary otalgia assessment.
Detailed description
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is associated with pain, impaired chewing, restricted jaw function, and, in some patients, referred otalgia. Conservative treatment options are commonly used as first-line management, but the clinical evidence for some physical therapy modalities remains limited.
Peloid therapy is a local thermotherapeutic intervention used in balneotherapy and physical medicine. It may provide analgesic and muscle-relaxing effects through superficial heat and local tissue responses. However, prospective data evaluating its clinical effect in temporomandibular joint dysfunction are limited.
This study is designed to assess changes in jaw-related functional limitation and pain after a standardized 2-week course of local peloid therapy in adults diagnosed with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Functional status, pain intensity, mouth opening, symptom severity, and secondary otalgia will be assessed before and after treatment using standardized clinical measures.
The study may provide additional evidence on the role of peloid therapy as a conservative supportive treatment option for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Peloid Therapy | Experimental | Other: Local Peloid Therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction based on DC/TMD criteria
- Presence of TMJ-related pain for at least 4 weeks
- Baseline pain intensity ≥3 on a 0-10 visual analog scale
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- History of temporomandibular joint trauma, tumor, active infection, or acute inflammation
- Previous temporomandibular joint surgery
- Presence of systemic inflammatory rheumatologic disease
- Pregnancy
- Open wound, active dermatitis, or skin condition preventing peloid application at the treatment site
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Local Peloid TherapyParticipants will receive local peloid therapy applied externally over the temporomandibular joint region and adjacent masticatory muscles. The treatment will be delivered as 10 sessions over 2 weeks, with 5 sessions per week. Each session will last 20 minutes. Peloid therapy will be administered by a trained investigator according to the study protocol. | Other | Peloid Therapy |
Primary outcome
Change in Jaw Function Score at Week 2
Time frame: Baseline and Week 2
Jaw function will be assessed using the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8). This is a patient-reported questionnaire that measures limitation in jaw activities such as chewing, speaking, and mouth opening. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no functional limitation and 10 indicates the highest level of limitation. The primary outcome will be the change in JFLS-8 total score from baseline to Week 2.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jul 2026.
- Background: PubMed 39791447Sun R, Liu T, Liu Y, Zhang S, Yue Y, Jiang N, Zhang L, Xiong X. Simplified Jaw Functional Limitation Scale for Temporomandibular Disorders: Psychometric Evaluation. Oral Dis. 2025 Jun;31(6):1854-1860. doi: 10.1111/odi.15253. Epub 2025 Jan 10.
- Background: PubMed 24482784Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E, Look J, Anderson G, Goulet JP, List T, Svensson P, Gonzalez Y, Lobbezoo F, Michelotti A, Brooks SL, Ceusters W, Drangsholt M, Ettlin D, Gaul C, Goldberg LJ, Haythornthwaite JA, Hollender L, Jensen R, John MT, De Laat A, de Leeuw R, Maixner W, van der Meulen M, Murray GM, Nixdorf DR, Palla S, Petersson A, Pionchon P, Smith B, Visscher CM, Zakrzewska J, Dworkin SF; International RDC/TMD Consortium Network, International association for Dental Research; Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group, International Association for the Study of Pain. Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: recommendations of the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network* and Orofacial Pain Special Interest Groupdagger. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014 Winter;28(1):6-27. doi: 10.11607/jop.1151.
- Background: PubMed 37963787Ramazani F, Szalay-Anderson C, Batista AV, Park P, Hwang E, Chau J, Lui J. Referred otalgia: Common causes and evidence-based strategies for assessment and management. Can Fam Physician. 2023 Nov;69(11):757-761. doi: 10.46747/cfp.6911757.
- Background: PubMed 11296048Kuttila SJ, Kuttila MH, Niemi PM, Le Bell YB, Alanen PJ, Suonpaa JT. Secondary otalgia in an adult population. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001 Apr;127(4):401-5. doi: 10.1001/archotol.127.4.401.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to privacy and confidentiality considerations. De-identified aggregate data may be available from the corresponding investigator upon reasonable request.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Local Peloid Therapy in people with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) and Pain, run by Uşak University 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 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Faruk Kadri Bakkal, MD, Asistant Professor (+90 276 224 00 00 ext. 4238, fkbakkal@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Jaw Function Score at Week 2 (time frame: Baseline and Week 2). 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 NCT07576582, which also lists 4 linked publications.
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 2 Jul 2026.