Comparison of the Effects of Different Massage Techniques in Individuals With Bruxism

Comparison of the Effects of Different Massage Techniques on Pain, Orofacial Muscle Characteristics, Disability, and Sleep Quality in Individuals With Bruxism

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Bruxism
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Classic massage; Other: Connective tissue massage; Other: Occlusal Splint Group

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 42
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Kübra Kendal, PhD; Phone Number: +90 530-233-8078; Email: kubra.kendal@okan.edu.tr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Possible diagnosis of sleep bruxism,
• Reporting jaw or chewing muscle pain within the last 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having any orthopedic, neurological, or psychiatric diagnosis,
• Having systemic and/or degenerative disorders,
• Neurological or psychiatric disorders (excluding anxiety and depression),
• Using medications that affect sleep or motor behavior,
• Having arthrogenic or mixed temporomandibular disorders,
• Using an intraoral prosthesis,
• Having a history of direct trauma or previous surgery in the orofacial region,
• Using muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
• Using a removable prosthesis,
• Receiving any treatment for bruxism within the last 4 weeks.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Classical Massage Group (CM); 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; 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.
Active Comparator: Connective Tissue Massage Group (CMM); 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; 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.
Active Comparator: Occlusal Splint Group (OS); 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; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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.	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.	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.	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.	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.	Before intervention, 4th week and 8th week after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Okan University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 5, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Stomatognathic Diseases; Tooth Diseases; Behavior; Habits; Bruxism
• Other Study ID Numbers: IstanbulOkanUnive

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