Effects of Jaw Clenching on Gait and Mobility in Stroke

May 23, 2026 updated by: Merve Tunçdemir, Bitlis Eren University

Immediate Effects of Jaw Clenching on Gait and Functional Mobility in Patients With Chronic Stroke

The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of jaw clenching on gait and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized sham-controlled crossover study aims to investigate the immediate effects of jaw clenching on gait and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke. A minimum of 30 eligible patients will be included. Each participant will complete both the intervention and sham conditions in a randomized sequence.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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 Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Merkez
      • Bolu, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye), 14280
        • Bolu İzzet Baysal Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi
        • 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
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Stroke occurred at least 6 months prior to enrollment.
  • No cognitive or communication impairments that would interfere with participation.
  • Ability to stand independently for 20 seconds or more.
  • Ability to walk 10 meters independently, with or without walking aids or orthoses as needed.
  • Age between 18 and 75 years.
  • Lower extremity Brunnstrom stage of 4 or higher.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of severe osteoarthritis in the lower extremities.
  • Diagnosis of cancer or diabetic neuropathy.
  • Presence of vestibular disorders.
  • Lower extremity ulceration or amputation.
  • History of vertigo.
  • Alcohol consumption within the past 24 hours.
  • Hemodynamic instability.
  • Stroke affecting the basilar artery or cerebellum (posterior circulation stroke).
  • Presence of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
  • Acute lower extremity injury within the past 6 weeks.
  • History of lower extremity surgery.

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

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Voluntary Jaw Clenching
Participants will perform maximal voluntary jaw clenching with bilateral dental cotton rolls placed on the occlusal surfaces.
Other: Voluntary Jaw Clenching
In this group, 1-cm-thick cotton rolls will be placed bilaterally on the occlusal surfaces, and patients will be instructed to perform maximal voluntary tooth clenching.
Sham Comparator: Sham Cotton Roll Placement Without Clenching
Participants will receive the same bilateral dental cotton roll positioning on the occlusal surfaces without performing jaw clenching.
Other: Sham Cotton Roll Placement Without Clenching
In this group, 1-cm-thick cotton rolls will be placed bilaterally on the occlusal surfaces without any clenching instruction, and participants will be instructed to keep their jaw relaxed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention for both experimental and sham conditions
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test. Participants will be timed while rising from a chair, walking 3 meters, turning, walking back, and sitting down. Lower scores indicate better functional mobility.
Baseline and immediately post-intervention for both experimental and sham conditions
10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention for both experimental and sham conditions
Gait speed will be assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test. Participants will be instructed to walk a 10-meter distance at a comfortable walking speed, and time will be recorded to calculate walking velocity.
Baseline and immediately post-intervention for both experimental and sham conditions

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Bitlis Eren University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ahmet Burak Mavuş, M.Sc., Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital
  • Principal Investigator: Merve Tunçdemir, Bitlis Eren University
  • Principal Investigator: Ömer Dursun, Bitlis Eren 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)

June 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 23, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Beuftr_3

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.

Clinical Trials on Stroke

Clinical Trials on Voluntary Jaw Clenching

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Chile

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe