This study investigated the effects of adding cervical and sacroiliac mobilization to a Pilates-based exercise program on pain, perceived stress, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, jaw functional limitation, cervical range of motion, cervical joint position error, and sacroiliac joint screening findings in individuals with bruxism. Thirty-eight participants were randomly allocated to a Pilates-only group (n=19) or a Manual Therapy + Pilates group (n=19). Both groups completed an 8-week, twice-weekly Pilates protocol (16 sessions); the Manual Therapy + Pilates group additionally received cervical and sacroiliac mobilization.
Bruxism is a repetitive jaw-muscle activity associated with musculoskeletal and psychosocial dysfunction, including cervical spine impairment and altered proprioception. This randomized study examined whether adding cervical and sacroiliac mobilization to a standardized Pilates-based exercise program produces greater improvements than Pilates alone. Outcomes included pain intensity (VAS), perceived stress (PSS-10), pain catastrophizing (PCS), kinesiophobia (TSK-17), jaw functional limitation (JFLS-8), cervical range of motion (goniometry), cervical joint position error, and sacroiliac joint screening (Standing Forward Flexion Test, Gillet Test), assessed before and after the 8-week intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
38
A structured Pilates-based exercise program targeting core stability, posture, and cervical control, performed twice weekly for 8 weeks (16 sessions total, 30-40 minutes per session).
Manual mobilization techniques applied to the cervical spine and sacroiliac joint, performed in addition to the Pilates-based exercise program.
Noi Physio Pilates Studio
Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pain Intensity (VAS)
Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (0-10 cm), with higher scores indicating greater pain.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention
Perceived Stress (PSS-10)
Perceived stress assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention
Pain Catastrophizing (PCS)
Pain catastrophizing assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), with higher scores indicating greater catastrophizing.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention
Cervical Joint Position Error
Cervical proprioception assessed via joint position error (flexion, extension, right/left rotation), with smaller error indicating better proprioceptive accuracy.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention
Cervical Range of Motion
Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, right/left rotation) assessed with goniometry.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention
Kinesiophobia (TSK-17)
Fear of movement/kinesiophobia assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-17 (TSK-17), with higher scores indicating greater kinesiophobia.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention
Sacroiliac Joint Screening
Sacroiliac joint status assessed using the Standing Forward Flexion Test and the Gillet Test, categorized as negative or positive (with side/structure indicated when positive).
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Time frame: Baseline and after 8-week intervention