The Effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Summary

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a broad clinical picture involving the TMJ and its disc, masticatory musculature, ligament tissue, and autonomic nervous system (ANS). TMD symptoms include decrease or excessive increase in joint range of motion (ROM), clicking sound or crepitation in the joint, pain around the joint or muscle group, chewing and swallowing problems. Pain caused by MPS, trigger point, fatigue, limitation of ROM, and ANS dysfunction cause TMD. With the inclusion of habits such as clenching and bruxism, pain, spasm and disability develop in the chewing muscles. Exposure to repeated trauma and excessive use of chewing muscles may cause the formation of tight bands and trigger points, which are characterized by MPS. When the relationship between TMD and ANS was examined, it was observed that increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic activity were effective in the severity of TMD symptoms. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation is a peripheral, non-pharmacological and non-invasive neuromodulation technique that modifies signal processing in the CNS, activates reflex circuits, exploits brain plasticity for different therapeutic purposes, thereby affecting very different areas of the brain. Non-invasive or transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation delivery systems provide stimulation in the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the outer ear, thus eliminating the need for surgical implantation. The aim of our study is to reveal the extent to which Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation, applied in addition to the conventional rehabilitation program, affects the results of the treatment by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system in patients with Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction caused by Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Conditions

• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome
• Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance

Interventions

OTHER

Auricular Non-Invazive Vagus Nerve Stimulation + Traditional Rehabilitation Program for TMD

In this application, vagus nerve stimulation is applied to the patients in addition to the traditional rehabilitation program. In our research, vagal nerve stimulation will be applied with the "Vagustim" Device and all applications will be applied at a frequency of 10 Hz, a pulse amplitude of 300 microseconds and for 20 minutes.

OTHER

Traditional Rehabilitation Program

This intervention includes: Deep Friction Massage, Myofascial Trigger Point Compression Therapy, Temporomandibular Joint Mobilization, Rocabado Exercises, Muscle-Energy Techniques.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alper Percin

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Hande Başat, M.D. · Bahçeşehir University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-08-15

Primary Completion

2023-10-15

Completion

2023-11-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations