Temporomandibular Disorders and Bruxism in Elite Basketball Referees

June 19, 2026 updated by: Izel Deniz Pehlivan Cakici, Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Bruxism in Elite Basketball Referees: An Ultrasonographic Evaluation and Comparative Analysis With Healthy Controls

This study aims to determine the frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and bruxism in elite basketball referees and to compare the findings with healthy controls. Basketball referees are exposed to high stress levels and maintain a prolonged parafunctional activity by holding a whistle between their teeth during matches, which may increase the risk of TMD and bruxism.

Participants will be evaluated using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), including Axis I and Axis II assessments. Additionally, ultrasonographic measurements of the masseter and temporalis muscle thickness will be performed both at rest and during clenching. The relationship between TMD, bruxism and ultrasonographic findings will be analyzed.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

76

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

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

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Elite Basketball Referees who were actively officiating in the Turkish Basketball Super League of Men and Women during the 2024-2025 season.

Healthy Controls who were the individuals aged 18-50 without a history of temporomandibular disorders or bruxism, recruited from hospital staff, patient relatives, and Turkish Basketball Federation employees.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 18-50 years
  • Willingness to participate
  • Adequate cognitive ability to follow instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Refusal to participate
  • Dental or periodontal pain
  • History of temporomandibular disorder treatment
  • Occlusal abnormalities
  • History of head, neck, or jaw surgery
  • Use of medications affecting neuromuscular or bone metabolism
  • Use of wind instruments (e.g., flute, clarinet, trumpet)

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
Elite Basketball Referees
Elite basketball referees officiating in Turkish Basketball Super League of Men or Women during the 2024-2025 season
Healthy Controls
Age-matched healthy individuals without temporomandibular disorders or bruxism

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
bruxism
Time Frame: baseline
ultrasonographic measurement of masseter and temporal muscle
baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

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 (Actual)

March 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 15, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2025-15

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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