Additive Effects of Dental Bite Pads During Gymnastic Exercises for the Relief of Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain in Working Women and Men at a VDU Workplace
Condition: Chronic Neck Pain; TMD; Temporomandibular Dysfunction
MeSH terms: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome; Neck Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The study which includes 52 participants suffering from chronic neck pain, determines
      additional effects of dental bite pads on neck pain and function when performing a 3-month
      gymnastics programme.
    

Detailed description: 
      Chronic neck pain is a common health problem in our society. Targeted gymnastic exercises
      have a high priority in the context of therapy and have shown positive effects on the
      symptoms in studies. In the past, direct connections between the temporomandibular joint and
      complaints of the musculoskeletal system, especially of the shoulder-neck region, have been
      researched, which are based on neuroanatomical (nerves) and myofascial (muscle-fascia)
      connections. Against the background of current study results, consideration of these findings
      could be promising in the therapy of neck pain. A new approach tries to positively influence
      tension and discomfort in the neck area by changing the position of the temporomandibular
      joints using dental bite pads. In the planned study, the researchers are specifically
      investigating the question of the extent to which the placement of dental bite pads (made of
      silicone) in the molar region during the performance of gymnastic exercises can increase the
      effect of the exercises on neck pain and the associated restrictions on function and quality
      of life.

      The aim of the present project is specifically to record the effect of a 3-month gymnastics
      programme and a possible additional effect of dental bite pads. In the study, 52 working
      women and men with a sedentary job at a computer workstation aged 30-65 years are included
      and randomly divided into two groups. Both groups will perform a specific video-animated
      exercise programme for 3 minutes 3 times a day over a period of 3 months with the main focus
      on the shoulder-neck region. One group positions a silicone dental bite pad (TJ Motion; BELY
      Balance GmbH & Co. KG, Weisendorf, Germany) on the right and left side of the molar region
      during the exercise.

      Before the intervention, after 6 weeks and after a further 6 weeks of follow-up, pain and
      function in the neck area are assessed by questionnaire. At baseline and follow-up,
      functional tests of spinal and jaw mobility are also performed.
    

Intervention name(s): gymnastics plus silicon dental bite pad; gymnastics only
Intervention type(s): Device; Other
Intervention description(s): Gymnastics (see below) plus dental bite pads. The dental bite pads TJ Motion (BELY Balance GmbH & Co. KG, Weisendorf, Germany) are made of medical silicone. Accordingly, they are BPA- and latex-free, odourless, tasteless and dimensionally stable. The splints are placed on the back molars of the lower jaw and remain in this position in the mouth for 3 minutes during the exercise. After use, the splints are rinsed with water and placed dry in the corresponding storage box.; Gymnastics, which are completed daily (7x/week), each consist of three to six exercises and have a total duration of three minutes. The gymnastic programme contain low-intensity exercises from functional gymnastic or physiotherapy.
Other intervention name(s): TJ Motion; exercise
Intervention MeSH terms: Silicon
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: This is a monocentric, partially blinded, randomised clinical intervention study (RCT) in a parallel group design with participants from the Erlangen-Nuremberg area.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: gymnastic; dental bite pad