Shamanic Healing for Women With Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs)

Temporomandibular Disorders Clinical Trial

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This is a Phase I study to examine the feasibility and safety of shamanic (spiritual) healing for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs).

Clinical Trial Description

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. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Temporomandibular Disorders
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome

• NCT number: NCT00071474
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Start date: August 2003
• Completion date: May 2005