Relationship Between Upper Cervical Mobility and Temporomandibular Joint Range of Motion in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders

January 19, 2026 updated by: Deraya University
Upper cervical spine mobility plays a crucial role in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function. This observational study investigates the relationship between upper cervical spine mobility and TMJ range of motion in patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Cervical hypomobility may restrict mandibular movement and contribute to TMJ dysfunction through shared biomechanical and neuromuscular mechanisms.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are multifactorial conditions involving the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, or both. Prior research indicates a strong association between TMD and cervical spine dysfunction, with patients frequently exhibiting neck pain, reduced cervical motion, and muscular tenderness.

This study explores how upper cervical mobility (flexion, extension, and rotation) correlates with TMJ range of motion (mouth opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion). The aim is to identify whether cervical spine hypomobility contributes to restricted jaw movement in TMD patients.

A total of 50 participants with TMD will undergo standardized clinical measurements of cervical mobility using a CROM device and TMJ motion using a ruler or caliper. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients will be applied to evaluate the association between cervical and TMJ movement parameters.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Egypt
    • Menia Governorate
      • Minya, Menia Governorate, Egypt
        • faculty of physical therapy, Deraya University
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be adult patients (both male and female) aged 18 to 50 years who have been clinically diagnosed with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction for more than three months. All participants will be recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Deraya University, Minya, Egypt. Eligible participants will be medically stable and free from systemic or neurological disorders that could affect cervical or temporomandibular mobility.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Medically stable individuals who consent to participate in the study.
  • Age between 18 and 50 years.
  • Both male and female participants.
  • Patients diagnosed with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction for at least three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of systemic diseases.
  • Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m².
  • Pregnancy.
  • Recent physical therapy for cervical spine disorders, headaches, or temporomandibular dysfunction.
  • Cervical radiculopathy or other neurological disorders.
  • History of trauma or major psychological problems.
  • Generalized joint hypermobility.
  • Down syndrome.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Temporomandibular Disorder Group
Fifty patients with temporomandibular disorder will undergo evaluation of upper cervical spine mobility (flexion, extension, and rotation) and TMJ range of motion (opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion) using standardized instruments (CROM device and ruler/caliper).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Upper Cervical Spine Mobility
Time Frame: Single assessment session (baseline only)
Upper cervical spine mobility (flexion, extension, and left and right rotation) will be measured in degrees using a CROM device. Participants will be seated in an upright position, and each movement will be measured twice following standardized procedures. The mean value of both readings will be used for analysis.
Single assessment session (baseline only)
Temporomandibular Joint Range of Motion (TMJ ROM)
Time Frame: Single assessment session (baseline only)
TMJ range of motion will be measured in millimetres using a standard ruler or digital calliper. Measurements include maximum mouth opening, lateral excursion (left and right), and protrusion. Each measurement will be taken twice, and the average will be recorded in millimetres to ensure reliability.
Single assessment session (baseline only)
Correlation Between Upper Cervical Mobility and TMJ Range of Motion
Time Frame: Single assessment session (baseline only)
The relationship between upper cervical spine mobility (measured in degrees using the CROM device) and TMJ range of motion (measured in millimetres using a ruler or calliper) will be analysed statistically. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients will be applied, depending on data normality, to determine the strength and direction of association.
Single assessment session (baseline only)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Deraya University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

February 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

January 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 19, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Upper Cervical Mobility

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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