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

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.

Muut: 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.

Muut: 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.

Muut: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.