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Effects of Different Graston Technique Application Speeds on Trapezius Muscle Stiffness, Pressure Pain Threshold, Pain, and Muscle Oxygenation in Patients With Bruxism

NCT07506733 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 34

Last updated 2026-04-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized crossover study aims to address an important gap in manual therapy by examining the acute physiological effects of different Graston Technique application speeds (60 BPM vs. 120 BPM) on the dominant upper trapezius muscle in patients with bruxism. Although the Graston Technique is widely used, the specific impact of application speed on parameters such as muscle stiffness, muscle oxygenation, pressure pain threshold, and pain intensity remains under-investigated. By utilizing a crossover design with a 1-week washout period, this study allows for a precise within-subject comparison of the two speeds. The findings will clarify the optimal application frequency, providing objective data to guide the development of more effective, evidence-based manual therapy protocols for bruxism management.

Conditions

  • Bruxism

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Graston Technique 60 BPM

GT1 and GT4 instruments will be applied using different strokes. To prepare the participant's tissue, the clinician will perform a light-intensity sweeping stroke with the GT1 instrument for 1 minute. Next, the tissue around the trigger points will be treated with a fanning stroke using the GT4 instrument for 2 minutes. Finally, the marked trigger points will be treated with a swivel stroke using the button end of the GT1 instrument for 2 minutes. During the application, the participant will sit upright with their arms resting on their thighs. The instruments will be applied at a 30 to 60-degree angle using multidirectional strokes. The application speed will be controlled using a metronome and performed at 60 beats per minute (BPM).

BEHAVIORAL

Graston Technique 120 BPM

GT1 and GT4 instruments will be applied using different strokes. To prepare the participant's tissue, the clinician will perform a light-intensity sweeping stroke with the GT1 instrument for 1 minute. Next, the tissue around the trigger points will be treated with a fanning stroke using the GT4 instrument for 2 minutes. Finally, the marked trigger points will be treated with a swivel stroke using the button end of the GT1 instrument for 2 minutes. During the application, the participant will sit upright with their arms resting on their thighs. The instruments will be applied at a 30 to 60-degree angle using multidirectional strokes. The application speed will be controlled using a metronome and performed at 120 beats per minute (BPM).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Gazi University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
55 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-03-25
Primary Completion
2026-04-30
Completion
2026-04-30

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07506733 on ClinicalTrials.gov