Nocipoint Therapy Versus Standard Physical Therapy Using Electrical Stimulation in Treating Pain From TMJ Disorder

NCT ID: NCT01676129

Last Updated: 2012-08-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

90 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2012-07-31

Study Completion Date

2013-03-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to measure the effect of nocipoint therapy on patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and compare it with the effect of standard electrical stimulation therapy.

Detailed Description

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The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is about 20% to 60% of dental patients. Most patients suffer from myofascial pain (MFP) subtype of TMD. Analgesics, local muscle injection or oral appliance are often used to treat TMD-related MFP. Patients are also referred to physical therapists frequently. Many physical therapy (PT) modalities and techniques are applied to these patients, including non-invasive transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) using TENS devices. However, the exact application of TENS devices, including the location of the stimulation, duration and intensity of stimulation, is largely decided by physical therapists. Nocipoint Therapy, a unique combination of precise location, duration and intensity of TENS has been found to substantially relieve general myofascial pain and recover the muscle function with lasting effect.

In preliminary observations of clinical applications, Nocipoint Therapy has been found to rapidly and substantially relieve TMD-related MFP within 2-3 sessions of the treatment.

This clinical study compares the effect of Nocipoint Therapy on TMD with that of standard Physical therapy (PT). TENS will be used in the control group both as a part of the standard of care (i.e., PT) and as placebo.

Conditions

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Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Keywords

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temporomandibular joint disorders nocipoint physical therapy

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Nocipoint Therapy

Nocipoint therapy (NT) follows rules of TENS stimulation in each session, all within the general FDA guidelines of TENS uses. The key points of Nocipoint Therapy include the following:

* The stimulation pads are located at the skin surface location of the nociceptors of the muscle/tissue in pain (i.e., "Nocipoint")
* The intensity is set to induce C-fiber response during the stimulation
* The duration of stimulation (about 1.5-4 minutes for each tissue stimulation)
* Stimulations for different tissues (muscles, ligaments) are sequenced such that later stimulations will not cause re-injury of previously treated tissues.
* Patient are instructed not to use the newly recovered muscle/tissue too much for an estimated "rest period" depending on his/her age.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Nocipoint Therapy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Physical Therapy

Patients in this group will be treated with comprehensive physical therapy program including typical electrical stimulation using a standard transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device, manual myofascial release and postural correction exercise.

The application of TENS will follow general physical therapy guidelines, especially for TMD. Manual myofacial release will be applied on orofacial muscles and neck muscles.

TENS will serve both as a part of the standard of care and as placebo, as the same TENS device is used in both arms.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Physical Therapy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Interventions

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Nocipoint Therapy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Physical Therapy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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Charles Koo's Pain Cure Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* 20-65 years old female or male
* Diagnosed as MFP subtype of TMD according to RDC/TMD
* Pain duration over 3 month
* Tender point in masseter
* Asymmetrical pain intensity
* Subsided symptoms of joint inflammation

Exclusion Criteria

* Traumatic TMD from external impact force
* History of traumatic cervical injury
* Presence of systemic disease
* Fibromyalgia
* Co-interventions for cervical problems or TMD during study period
* Signs of psychosomatic illness
* Unwilling to be randomized
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Pain Cure Center, California

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

National Taiwan University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Alex YJ Chen, DDS, PHD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National Taiwan University

Charles C Koo, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National Taiwan University and Pain Cure Center California

Jau-Yih Tsauo, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National Taiwan University

Locations

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National Taiwan University Hospital

Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Taiwan

Central Contacts

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Wan-Ling Kuo, BS

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +886-0919-306-856

Email: [email protected]

Charlie Koo, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +1-6504248818

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Wan-Ling Kuo, BS

Role: primary

Charles C. Koo, PhD

Role: backup

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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101R104054-TMJ

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id