1. What is the decision or change (e.g. clinical topic, practice guideline, system design, delivery of care) you are facing or struggling with where a summary of the evidence would be helpful?

We are interested in what is the effect of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, namely, most often latent temporomandibular joint dysfunction, on stuttering?

Primary Investigator If you make this research possible (I personally don't have the opportunity to do this research) it could be an achievement in the study of stuttering. Stuttering is not cured now, but this is a chance for people who stutter.

This pathology is manifested by latent noises (mostly "loud clicks") or pain in the temporomandibular joint. This pathology is detected mainly by pressing the fist of one hand on the area of the temporomandibular joint, with the knuckles of the fist on the joint (and pressing) at the same time imposing the side of the fist of the other hand on the chin (and pressing), while with an effort to open or close the jaw, sometimes the joint is set. Hidden dysfunction of the joint in stutterers is also revealed as follows: a stutterer presses on the temporomandibular joint with a finger or a bent knuckle, while placing the fingers of the other hand on the teeth of the lower jaw and resists the closing of the jaw, that is, the jaw closes with force (the same and with the opening of the jaw, only at the same time they resist the opening, mainly by placing the palm or fist on the chin to resist the opening). This pathology is detected mainly in people with the presence of stuttering. Yes, of course, there are joint dysfunctions in people who do not stutter, but they are mostly not hidden, and this dysfunction manifests itself only mainly in speech muscle tension, that is, not when “chewing”, for example.

2. Why are you struggling with this issue?

There are over 70 million people with stutter worldwide and over 3 million Americans. This could potentially help with the study of the causes of stuttering, as well as later help with the treatment of this ailment. Stuttering is currently not treated, the causes of stuttering are not currently known. It is necessary to make a full-fledged study and find out whether stuttering people most often have hidden dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints. This can help with the study of stuttering.

3. What do you want to see changed? How will you know that your issue is improving or has been addressed?

4. When do you need the evidence report?

5. What will you do with the evidence report?

Supporting Documentation

The Causes of Stuttering (PDF, 119 KB)