Shamanic Healing for Women With Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs)
Data Collection
Jaw Diseases+7
+ Joint Diseases
+ Mandibular Diseases
Treatment Study
Summary
Study start date: August 1, 2003
Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.Traditional systems of healing, such as shamanism, do not readily lend themselves to conventional research methods, yet studying their effectiveness is especially germane in the case of chronic conditions that involve an emotional component and that elude allopathic treatment regimens. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), which affect up to 10% of the adult population, are a prime example of such conditions. Traditional treatment outcomes for TMD pain are often unsatisfactory. Moreover, in women age 25-55 (the age-sex group most affected), TMD is often found in association with depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, frequent infection,and fibromyalgia. Because these multiple and complex symptoms suggest a loss of spirit or life energy, they may be particularly susceptible to treatment by shamanic (spiritual) healing, which aims to bring disturbed physical, mental, and emotional systems into balance. This phase I study will develop methods to evaluate shamanic healing as an intervention for TMD and will evaluate the feasibility of conducting randomized clinical trials of shamanic healing.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.25 patients to be enrolled
Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.Treatment Study
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Female
Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.From 25 to 55 Years
Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.Healthy volunteers allowed
If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.Conditions
Pathology
Criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Females Age 25-55 * TMD Research Diagnosis Criteria (RDC) clinical diagnosis of myofacial pain with or without disc displacement, arthralgia, arthritis, or arthosis * Three or more significant systemic conditions, e.g. depression, fibromyalgia, GI or reproductive disturbances, upper respiratory problems, etc. in the preceding 2 years. Exclusion criteria: * Diagnosed organic or medication induced major mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar) * Other neurological diagnoses (epilepsy, Parkinsons) * Pregnancy
Study Centers
These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.This study has 1 location