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Effect of Rocabado Exercises With Strain Counter-Strain Technique on Muscles of Mastication for Pain, Jaw Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

NCT07703059 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 44

Last updated 2026-07-14

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting the jaw joint and masticatory muscles, leading to pain, limited jaw function, and reduced quality of life. Conservative management includes therapeutic exercises and manual therapy. Rocabado exercises improve jaw mechanics and posture, while the Strain Counterstrain technique reduces muscle tenderness and pain.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Rocabado exercises alone versus Rocabado exercises combined with the Strain Counterstrain technique in patients with muscular TMD. The intervention will be conducted over six weeks, with outcomes measured for pain, jaw function, and quality of life. The study seeks to determine whether the combined approach provides superior clinical outcomes.

Conditions

  • Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction

Interventions

OTHER

Rocabado Exercise

Rocabado exercises constitute a standardized 6×6 therapeutic protocol aimed at restoring normal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) biomechanics and craniocervical alignment. The intervention incorporates neuromuscular re-education techniques including tongue resting position, controlled mandibular rotation, rhythmic stabilization, axial extension of the cervical spine, and scapular postural correction. These exercises are designed to optimize joint kinematics, enhance proprioceptive control, reduce abnormal muscle activity, and improve functional jaw mobility while minimizing pain.

OTHER

Strain Counterstrain Technique

The Strain Counterstrain (SCS) technique is a passive, indirect manual therapy approach targeting myofascial tender points. It involves precise positioning of the involved muscle in a shortened, position of maximal comfort to reduce aberrant muscle spindle activity and nociceptive input. Sustained positioning (typically 60-90 seconds) facilitates neuromuscular reset, decreases localized hypertonicity, and alleviates pain. In this study, SCS will be applied to the masticatory muscles, including the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles, to improve muscle function and reduce pain sensitivity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Max Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-07-01
Primary Completion
2026-10-30
Completion
2026-11-20

Countries

  • Pakistan

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 NCT07703059 on ClinicalTrials.gov