Comparison of the Effects of Classical Massage and Conventional Treatment Methods in Phone Addicted Bruxist Patients (Bruxism)

Bartın Unıversity

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Bruxism; Physiotherapy; Orafacial Pain

Treatments: Other: Conventional Therapy; Other: manual therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07028151

2025-SBB-0226

Details and patient eligibility

About

Bruxism, defined as the involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth during sleep or wakefulness, is a common condition with multifactorial etiology. It can lead to various complications including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, masticatory muscle hypertrophy, dental wear, headaches, and postural dysfunction. Although its underlying causes remain unclear, stress, poor sleep quality, postural problems, and excessive smartphone use have been identified as potential contributing factors.

Recent studies suggest a significant relationship between bruxism and psychological as well as behavioral variables such as stress levels, screen time, and physical inactivity. University students, due to academic pressure and lifestyle habits, may be particularly vulnerable.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between bruxism and smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and perceived stress among associate degree students at Bartın University. By identifying these associations, the study seeks to contribute to preventive strategies and promote awareness of bruxism-related risk factors in young adults.

Full description

Bruxism is a common multidisciplinary condition characterized by involuntary teeth clenching or grinding that occurs during sleep or wakefulness. Although bruxism episodes are typically short in duration, they can lead to significant complications involving the masticatory muscles and postural system, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction, headaches, dental wear, hypersensitivity, tooth pain, hypertrophy of the masticatory muscles, implant fractures, and joint sounds. While its etiology is not fully understood, bruxism is believed to be multifactorial. Studies suggest that a lifestyle characterized by chronic stress and smartphone dependency may trigger or exacerbate bruxism. Additionally, poor sleep quality and postural abnormalities have been shown to influence both bruxism and emotional stress levels, while low levels of physical activity may further impair sleep and increase stress.

The aim of this study is to improve symptoms and enhance the quality of life in individuals with smartphone addiction and bruxism complaints through the application of different physiotherapy interventions.

Following the approval of the Ethics Committee of Bartın University Vocational School of Health Services, the study will be initiated. Data collection will take place between May 2025 and September 2025. A total of 30 university students diagnosed with bruxism and enrolled at Bartın University will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned using a coin toss method into two groups: a massage group (MG, n=15) receiving classical face and neck massage, and a treatment group (TG, n=15) undergoing a conventional physiotherapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, and infrared heat therapy.

After obtaining written informed consent from eligible participants, all assessments will be conducted in the same order by a blinded assessor. Following baseline evaluations, participants will undergo 10 sessions of their respective treatment protocols, each lasting approximately 40 minutes. The MG will receive classical massage, while the TG will receive TENS, ultrasound, and infrared therapy. After completion of the intervention sessions, post-treatment evaluations will be carried out by the same assessor, and the data will be subjected to statistical analysis.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 27 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Volunteer students aged between 18-27

Having at least two clinical signs of bruxism Abnormal tooth wear on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth Abfraction Gingival recession and/or cervical defect Tongue indentations or damage to the inside of the cheek Tense facial and jaw muscles, muscle sensitivity, and masseteric hypertrophy upon bidigital palpation

Exclusion criteria

• Characterized by a neurological disease,
• Botulinum toxin injections into the masticatory muscles in the last year,
• Using antidepressant-type medications that will affect the central nervous system,
• Receiving occlusal splint treatment,

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Manual Therapy

Experimental group

Description:

Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be evaluated after providing written informed consent and will receive 10 sessions of approximately 40 minutes of classical face and neck massage

Treatment:

Other: manual therapy

Conventional Therapy

Experimental group

Description:

Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be evaluated after providing written informed consent and will commence the treatment sessions. Each session will consist of sequential applications of infrared therapy, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The sessions, lasting approximately 40 minutes each, will be conducted over a total of 10 days

Treatment:

Other: Conventional Therapy