The Effect of Prolonged Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Mastication on Self-Reported Fatigue Levels and Changes of Static and Dynamic Surface Electromyography Parameters in Young Individuals With and Without Temporomandibular Joint Disorders.

University of Milan

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Treatments: Other: Mastication of sugar-free chewing gum

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07273123

95 /25

Details and patient eligibility

About

This case-control study investigates fatigue induced by prolonged gum mastication in individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The study addresses two primary questions:

How does self-reported fatigue, measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS), change during sustained chewing? How do static and dynamic surface electromyographic (sEMG) parameters evolve over the same period? Participants with TMD will be compared with healthy controls to determine group differences in perceived fatigue and EMG responses.

All participants will undergo baseline EMG assessment, then chew sugar-free gum continuously for 3 minutes, alternating sides without rest. After each 3-minute interval, static and dynamic EMG recordings will be obtained and participants will rate their fatigue on the VAS. This cycle may be repeated up to six times (maximum 18 minutes). Participants are free to stop chewing at any time if fatigue becomes intolerable.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 19 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria (both groups):

• Age 19-35 years
• Chewing-gum users, even occasional
• Good general health
• Good oral health

Inclusion criteria (Healthy controls):

- no diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorders

Inclusion criteria (study group)

- diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorders

Exclusion criteria (both groups):

• Non chewing gum users
• History of neurological disorders
• History of musculoskeletal diseases
• History of facial or cervical injuries
• Presence of cervical pain
• Two or more missing teeth
• Current treatment with fixed or removable orthodontic appliances
• Active periodontal disease
• Presence of cavitated carious lesions

Trial design

30 participants in 2 patient groups

Case group (subjects with TMD)

Description:

This group contains subjects with temporomandibular disorders

Treatment:

Other: Mastication of sugar-free chewing gum

Control group (TMD-free subjects)

Description:

This group contains healthy subjects without temporomandibular disorders

Treatment:

Other: Mastication of sugar-free chewing gum