An interventional study of Connective tissue massage and Classic massage in Bruxism, sponsored by Okan University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-05.
Sponsored by Okan University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of this study is to compare the effects of occlusal splint therapy and different massage techniques on pain intensity and orofacial muscle tone and stiffness in individuals with possible sleep bruxism. A secondary aim is to evaluate the effects of these interventions on oral parafunctional behaviors, disability, and sleep quality.
Individuals meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to three groups using block randomization: classic massage group (CM), connective tissue massage group (CTM), and occlusal splint group (OCG). Following their assessments, individuals will be assigned to their respective groups. The CM and CTM groups will receive different massage techniques twice a week from a physiotherapist for four weeks, while the OCG group will be instructed to use a custom-made occlusal splint provided by a dentist for four weeks. Assessments will be repeated for all individuals at the 4th and 8th weeks.
151 studies on the registry are indexed under Bruxism; 39 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 42 is close to the median of 39 across 94 interventional studies indexed under Bruxism.
Browse Bruxism studies →Okan University is the lead sponsor of 97 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The classic massage treatment will be planned to include superficial and deep manual techniques targeting the facial and chewing muscles. Prior to the treatment, the individual will be positioned supine in a comfortable position. The massage protocol will include effleurage (superficial stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction (circular deep pressure), and gentle vibration techniques. The application will be performed bilaterally, targeting the masseter, temporalis, buccinator, and perioral muscle groups. Pressure intensity will be adjusted according to the individual's tolerance, avoiding pain provocation. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.
Other: Classic massage
Connective tissue massage will be planned to include reflex-activated manual techniques targeting the subcutaneous connective tissue in the face and mandibular region. The individual will be positioned supine, and the application will be performed using specific skin-tightening maneuvers that create gliding between the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The techniques will focus particularly on connective tissue areas around the masseter, temporalis, and mandibular ramus. During the application, slow and controlled maneuvers aimed at creating tension in the connective tissue rather than deep mechanical pressure will be preferred. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be applied twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.
Other: Connective tissue massage
Individuals in the OS group will have an occlusal splint fitted by the dental department and will be provided with guidance on lifestyle changes to be considered in daily living activities. Following a clinical examination by the dentist, an impression will be taken of each volunteer's upper dental arch using irreversible hydrocolloid and used to prepare a maxillary Michigan type occlusal splint. Volunteers will be instructed to wear the splint while sleeping and the necessary adjustments will be made by the same dentist after two weeks.
Other: Occlusal Splint Group
Connective tissue massage will be planned to include reflex-activated manual techniques targeting the subcutaneous connective tissue in the face and mandibular region. The individual will be positioned supine, and the application will be performed using specific skin-tightening maneuvers that create gliding between the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The techniques will focus particularly on connective tissue areas around the masseter, temporalis, and mandibular ramus. During the application, slow and controlled maneuvers aimed at creating tension in the connective tissue rather than deep mechanical pressure will be preferred. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be applied twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.
The classic massage treatment will be planned to include superficial and deep manual techniques targeting the facial and chewing muscles. Prior to the treatment, the individual will be positioned supine in a comfortable position. The massage protocol will include effleurage (superficial stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction (circular deep pressure), and gentle vibration techniques. The application will be performed bilaterally, targeting the masseter, temporalis, buccinator, and perioral muscle groups. Pressure intensity will be adjusted according to the individual's tolerance, avoiding pain provocation. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks.
Individuals in the OS group will have an occlusal splint fitted by the dental department and will be provided with guidance on lifestyle changes to be considered in daily living activities. Following a clinical examination by the dentist, an impression will be taken of each volunteer's upper dental arch using irreversible hydrocolloid and used to prepare a maxillary Michigan type occlusal splint. Volunteers will be instructed to wear the splint while sleeping and the necessary adjustments will be made by the same dentist after two weeks.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
The VAS is a widely validated and reliable measurement tool developed to quantitatively assess an individual's perception of pain. It is typically designed as a straight line approximately 10 cm long; the left end of the line represents "no pain," and the right end represents "very severe/unbearable pain." Participants indicate the pain they feel by marking a point on the line as they see fit. The value obtained by measuring the marked point numerically expresses the individual's pain level. This scale was chosen for this study due to its ease of application, sensitivity, and widespread acceptance in clinical and research settings.
Time frame: Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention
Analysis of Jaw Muscle Tone and Stiffness
Using the Myoton Pro device, physical characteristics such as tone (F) and stiffness (S) of the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter muscles will be measured. These measurements will help determine the adaptations that bruxism creates in the soft tissues.
Time frame: Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention
Oral Habits
The 21-item Oral Habits Checklist (OHAC) will be used to assess participants' oral parafunctional behaviors. The questionnaire, which asks about the frequency of parafunctional habits such as teeth clenching, teeth grinding, nail biting, lip biting, cheek biting, pen chewing, and gum chewing in the past month, will be answered using a 4-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention
Jaw Functional Restriction
The 'Jaw Functional Restriction Scale-8' (CFRS) will be used for functional assessment. Individuals will be asked to determine their level of restriction for each of the 8 items on the scale within the last month. Individuals will be informed that on a 10 cm horizontal line, the number '0' represents 'no restriction' and the number '10' represents 'severe restriction'. The average of the individual's answers will be taken to calculate the functional restriction.
Time frame: Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention
Sleep Quality
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to assess sleep quality. PSQI items are structured based on clinical observations of individuals with sleep disorders, existing sleep quality scales referenced in the literature, and 18-month clinical follow-up findings focusing on the PSQI.
Time frame: Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for May 2026; primary completion for Jul 2026, 2 months later.
Of 59 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Bruxism, half reached primary completion within 8 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 13. This study's planned 2 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 60 studies reached it within 7 months; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 13.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Okan University