Masseter Muscle Thickness in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain

Официальное название

Comparison of Masseter Muscle Thickness Measured by Ultrasonography in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain Compared to Healthy Individuals

Обзор

The primary objective of our study is to compare the thickness of the masseter muscle, measured by ultrasound, in individuals with chronic neck pain to that of healthy individuals. The secondary objective of the study is to examine the relationships between masseter muscle thickness and pain intensity, neck disability level, pain catastrophizing level, and clinical diagnostic criteria in individuals with chronic neck pain.

Подробное описание

The aim of this study is to evaluate masseter muscle thickness in individuals with chronic neck pain using ultrasonography and to compare it with healthy individuals. Thus, it is intended to reveal possible morphological changes related to the craniomandibular system in chronic neck pain and to determine whether these changes contribute to clinical evaluations. The literature reports that there are biomechanical and neuromuscular connections between the temporomandibular system and the cervical spine, and that changes in masseter muscle activity and morphology may be related to neck pain. The literature emphasizes that there are biomechanical, neuromuscular, and sensory connections between the temporomandibular system and the cervical spine, and that dysfunctions in these two regions may influence each other reciprocally. The masseter muscle, in particular, being one of the primary muscles of the temporomandibular system, may exhibit increased muscle activity, parafunctional habits, and morphological adaptations due to central sensitization mechanisms in chronic pain conditions. Chronic neck pain is reported to be more common in individuals with temporomandibular disorders, along with increased muscle sensitivity and functional limitations, and this condition is associated with cervical pain severity and disability level. Ultrasonography is a reliable, valid, and non-invasive method for assessing muscle thickness and is widely used to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the masseter muscle. Measuring masseter muscle thickness by ultrasonography allows for the evaluation of the muscle's structural response to functional loading and enables comparisons between different clinical groups. However, the literature shows that studies comparing possible changes in masseter muscle thickness in individuals with chronic neck pain with healthy individuals are limited, and this relationship has not been sufficiently elucidated. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study is to compare the masseter muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography in individuals with chronic neck pain with that in healthy individuals. The secondary objective of the study is to examine the relationships between masseter muscle thickness and pain intensity, neck disability level, pain catastrophizing level, and clinical diagnostic criteria in individuals with chronic neck pain.

Первичные конечные точки

• Ultrasonographic Measurement [Срок оценки: through of the study, average 3 months]

Вторичные конечные точки (4)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) [Срок оценки: through of the study, average 3 months]
• Neck Disability Index - NDI [Срок оценки: through of the study, average 3 months]
• Pain Catastrophizing Scale [Срок оценки: through of the study, average 3 months]
• Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) [Срок оценки: through of the study, average 3 months]

Критерии участия

Критерии включения

• Be between the ages of 18 and 45
• Have neck pain that has persisted for at least 3 months
• Agree to participate in the study voluntarily and provide written informed consent

Критерии исключения

• History of cervical spine surgery or severe trauma
• Diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, or neurological disease
• Rheumatic, inflammatory, or systemic musculoskeletal diseases
• Diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
• Diagnosis of bruxism or a pronounced habit of teeth clenching/grinding
• History of manual therapy, injection, or surgical intervention in the face, jaw, or neck region within the last 6 months
• Currently undergoing orthodontic treatment or history of orthodontic treatment within the last 6 months
• Cognitive impairment or conditions that prevent understanding and responding to questionnaires

Критерии приведены из реестра в оригинале (на английском). Окончательную оценку соответствия проводит исследовательский центр.

Здоровые добровольцы: Да

Дизайн исследования

Модель наблюдения

Когортное

Центры проведения

Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 центр

• Hasan Kalyoncu University — Gaziantep

Публикации

• Aslan EM, Artas A. Ultrasonographic Assessment of Masseter and Anterior Temporal Muscle Thickness and Internal Structure in Young Adult Patients With Bruxism. J Clin Ultrasound. 2025 Feb;53(2):286-293. doi: 10.1002/jcu.23866. Epub 2024 Oct 11. PMID 39391995
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• Aslan E, Karaduman A, Yakut Y, Aras B, Simsek IE, Yagly N. The cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of neck disability index in patients with neck pain: a Turkish version study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008 May 15;33(11):E362-5. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817144e1. PMID 18469684
• Vernon H, Mior S. The Neck Disability Index: a study of reliability and validity. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1991 Sep;14(7):409-15. PMID 1834753
• Delgado DA, Lambert BS, Boutris N, McCulloch PC, Robbins AB, Moreno MR, Harris JD. Validation of Digital Visual Analog Scale Pain Scoring With a Traditional Paper-based Visual Analog Scale in Adults. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2018 Mar 23;2(3):e088. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-17-00088. eCollection 2018 Mar. PMID 30211382
• Rohila AK, Sharma VP, Shrivastav PK, Nagar A, Singh GP. An ultrasonographic evaluation of masseter muscle thickness in different dentofacial patterns. Indian J Dent Res. 2012 Nov-Dec;23(6):726-31. doi: 10.4103/0970-9290.111247. PMID 23649053

Идентификаторы

NCT: NCT07468786 · 2026/010

Первоисточники (государственные реестры)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, США)

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