Upper Cross Syndrome and Temporomandibular Dysfunction in University Students

This cross-sectional observational study aims to investigate the relationship between Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS), a postural imbalance characterized by forward head posture and rounded shoulders, and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) in university students aged 18-35 years. TMD is a musculoskeletal condition affecting the jaw joint and masticatory muscles, commonly associated with pain, limited mandibular movement, and joint sounds. Since cervical posture and jaw function are anatomically and biomechanically interconnected, postural alterations seen in UCS may be associated with temporomandibular dysfunction. In this study, participants will undergo a single-session assessment including postural angle measurements (craniovertebral angle, head-shoulder angle, thoracic kyphosis angle), temporomandibular joint clinical examination, mandibular range of motion measurements, and completion of the OHIP-14 questionnaire. No intervention will be applied.The findings are expected to contribute to understanding the association between upper body posture and jaw dysfunction in young adults and may provide guidance for interdisciplinary assessment and preventive strategies.

NCT Number	NCT07456748
Lead Sponsor	Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Conditions	Upper Cross Syndrome, Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
Enrollment	27 participants
Start Date	2026-02-04
Primary Completion	2026-02-27 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-02-27 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-07