Effects of Jaw Clenching on Gait and Mobility in Stroke

Bitlis Eren University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Sham Cotton Roll Placement Without Clenching; Other: Voluntary Jaw Clenching

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07612397

Beuftr_3

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of jaw clenching on gait and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke.

Full description

This randomized sham-controlled crossover study aims to investigate the immediate effects of jaw clenching on gait and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke. A minimum of 30 eligible patients will be included. Each participant will complete both the intervention and sham conditions in a randomized sequence.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Stroke occurred at least 6 months prior to enrollment.
• No cognitive or communication impairments that would interfere with participation.
• Ability to stand independently for 20 seconds or more.
• Ability to walk 10 meters independently, with or without walking aids or orthoses as needed.
• Age between 18 and 75 years.
• Lower extremity Brunnstrom stage of 4 or higher.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of severe osteoarthritis in the lower extremities.
• Diagnosis of cancer or diabetic neuropathy.
• Presence of vestibular disorders.
• Lower extremity ulceration or amputation.
• History of vertigo.
• Alcohol consumption within the past 24 hours.
• Hemodynamic instability.
• Stroke affecting the basilar artery or cerebellum (posterior circulation stroke).
• Presence of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
• Acute lower extremity injury within the past 6 weeks.
• History of lower extremity surgery.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

30 participants in 2 patient groups

Voluntary Jaw Clenching

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will perform maximal voluntary jaw clenching with bilateral dental cotton rolls placed on the occlusal surfaces.

Treatment:

Other: Voluntary Jaw Clenching

Sham Cotton Roll Placement Without Clenching

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive the same bilateral dental cotton roll positioning on the occlusal surfaces without performing jaw clenching.

Treatment:

Other: Sham Cotton Roll Placement Without Clenching