An interventional study of Aromatherapy with Essential Oil Blend (Lavender, Marjoram, Vetiver) and Carrier Oil (Sesame Oil) in Bruxism, Bruxism, Sleep and Bruxism, Sleep-Related, sponsored by Necmettin Erbakan University. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-02.
Sponsored by Necmettin Erbakan University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of the use of lavender, marjoram and vetiver oil via inhalation and/or massage application on the treatment of bruxism.
Bruxism is a repetitive jaw muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or bracing or thrusting of the mandible. Due to increasing evidence suggesting that it may serve a physiological purpose, bruxism has been defined as jaw muscle activity that may occur during sleep and/or wakefulness.
Various methods have been proposed for the treatment of bruxism. These treatment approaches include pharmacological treatments (such as muscle relaxants and clonazepam), orthopedic treatments (such as stabilization splints and rigid stabilization appliances), needling treatments (including acupuncture, botulinum toxin type A, and dry needling), physical and behavioral approaches (such as relaxation training, stress management, biofeedback, and sleep hygiene instructions), manual treatments including exercises (trigger point therapy, soft tissue techniques, exercises, postural corrections, joint mobilizations, and cervical spine treatment), and other physical therapy modalities (including low-level laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and short-wave diathermy).
Manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and their combination have been shown to effectively reduce pain and improve mandibular function. Massage therapy, which activates the pain-gate mechanism, is an effective treatment option for pain relief. It also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and helps restore muscle length and flexibility. In addition, massage therapy improves local blood circulation and promotes the production of endogenous opioids, leading to relaxing effects and reduced pain perception. These effects are of particular interest in the management of bruxism; however, this treatment approach has not been adequately investigated despite its promising results.
Massage therapy can be combined with aromatherapy, one of the most commonly used complementary therapy methods. Its therapeutic effects are based on stimulation of the olfactory system and absorption of active molecules through the skin. Various studies have investigated the analgesic effects of aromatherapy massage using lavender essential oil. Lavandula angustifolia is a well-known medicinal and aromatic plant with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In addition, it has antiseptic, soothing, circulation-stimulating, and cell-regenerating effects. Lavender oil has been reported to reduce pain in patients with various conditions, including neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, burns, and cancer-related pain. Apart from lavender oil, marjoram oil may contribute to pain control and anxiety reduction, while vetiver oil is known for its sedative effects. However, the effects of aromatherapy massage using these essential oils have not been adequately investigated in patients with bruxism.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of lavender, marjoram, and vetiver essential oils administered through aromatherapy massage in patients with bruxism. Objective outcomes will be assessed through ultrasonographic evaluation of the masseter muscle, while subjective outcomes will be evaluated using patient-reported questionnaires. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of complementary treatment approaches for the management of bruxism.
62 studies on the registry are indexed under Sleep Bruxism; 11 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 64 is above the median of 39 across 38 interventional studies indexed under Sleep Bruxism.
Browse Sleep Bruxism studies →Necmettin Erbakan University is the lead sponsor of 201 studies on the registry; 48 are open to participants now.
Compared within Sleep Bruxism, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Bruxism. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →
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Patients between 18-25
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with systemic (asthma history) and/or neuromuscular disease
Participants receive aromatherapy by inhalation twice daily and extraoral massage once daily throughout the study period. Outcomes are evaluated using ultrasonographic measurements and patient-reported questionnaires.
Other: Aromatherapy with Essential Oil Blend (Lavender, Marjoram, Vetiver)
Participants receive carrier oil (sesame oil) administered through inhalation and extraoral massage following the same protocol as the intervention group. Outcomes are evaluated using ultrasonographic measurements and patient-reported questionnaires.
Other: Carrier Oil (Sesame Oil)
Participants receive aromatherapy using a proprietary essential oil blend (Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Marjoram Origanum majorana, and Vetiver Vetiveria zizanioides; Art De Huile®, formulated by Hülya Kayhan). The blend is administered by inhalation twice daily and extraoral massage once daily throughout the study period.
Participants receive carrier oil (sesame oil) administered through inhalation and extraoral massage according to the same protocol used in the intervention group.
Change in Masseter Muscle Elasticity
Assessment of changes in masseter muscle elasticity using shear-wave elastography measured by ultrasonography.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 4
Change in Masseter Muscle Thickness
Assessment of changes in masseter muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 4
Change in Bruxism-Related Symptoms
Assessment of changes in bruxism-related symptoms (jaw pain, headache, tooth sensitivity, fatigue, and perceived stress/anxiety) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Each symptom is rated from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (worst imaginable symptom). Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. A study-specific patient-reported questionnaire is also used to document the presence and characteristics of bruxism-related symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 4
Patient Satisfaction With Treatment
Assessment of participant satisfaction with the intervention using a study-specific patient-reported questionnaire. Treatment satisfaction is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). Higher scores indicate greater treatment satisfaction.
Time frame: Week 4
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be made publicly available due to participant privacy considerations and institutional data protection policies.
Started Sep 2024 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 27 months after the start.
Of 19 interventional studies with no phase under Sleep Bruxism, half reached primary completion within 6 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 13. This study's planned 27 months is above that.
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This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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