TMJ Disorders Sleep Study Recruiting at NYU College of Dentistry

Sponsor: The National Institutes of Health

Special Note: This is not a clinical trial—no treatments are involved—and if you are enrolled in the study you may continue with whatever treatments you are using. Instead, the project will study your facial muscle movements under various conditions when you are awake and also when you sleep, and compare them with the facial movements of a matched control group of individuals without facial pain.  

The New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry is recruiting patients for an NIH-funded research study designed to test several competing theories about causes of muscle-based TMJ Disorders.  The contribution of sleep bruxism (grinding or clenching of the teeth), daytime bruxism, and abnormalities in how the central nervous system processes painful sensations will be evaluated.

Women over the age of 18 with pain primarily in the facial muscles (as opposed to the TM joint) may be eligible.  Participants must be willing to come to New York City for all study procedures. After completing a brief diagnostic  examination to confirm eligibility, participants will receive a one-day assessment at an NYU-affiliated clinical research center, and two consecutive nights at a sleep laboratory affiliated with the NYU School of Medicine.  Compensation will be provided. 

This is not a clinical trial, and participants can continue any current treatment during the course of their participation in the study.

Click here to review the informed consent form. For more information about the study, contact Dr. Karen Raphael, the principal investigator of the study, at kgr234@nyu.edu, or Dr. Lena Nemelivksy, the Clinical Research Coordinator, at yvn1@nyu.edu or 212-998-9306.

An Implementation and Biobehavioral Study of TMJMD

Sponsor: The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/National Institutes of Health

A clinical study on TMJ disorders is being conducted in the Dallas, Texas area. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether early non-surgical treatment techniques such as biofeedback, stress management and self management coping skills training, reduces jaw pain or discomfort during treatment and thereafter. Supervised by Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University, this clinical trial is being conducted at 5 community based dental clinics in Dallas. Click here to review the informed consent form.  This study is only seeking ACUTE TMJ patients (symptoms occuring  within the last 5 months).  If you would like more information, contact Dr. Robert Gatchel, Principal Investigator at 817-272-2541 or Robbie Haggard, Program Coordinator at (214) 645-8749.

UPDATE:  Summary report written for the TMJA by Dr. Gatchel 01/06/2012.

Duloxetine For Treatment of Painful Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Sponsor: Elli Lilly & Company

The University of Maryland Dental School has completed recruitment for a clinical trial to see if the drug duloxetine (Cymbalta) relieves pain of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Duloxetine is an antidepressant also approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of chronic pain of diabetic nerves and fibromyalgia. If duloxetine has a therapeutic effect, it could be the basis for use in patients with painful temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders. 

The study results are undergoing analysis, but safety results show minimal side effects. Results in abstract form will be distributed when available mid-2012.