Have a face and jaw examination.
A clinical examination determines whether potential participants have painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Take part in pressure sensitivity tests.
At three study visits, participants complete brief pressure sensitivity tests. Gentle, controlled pressure is applied to the skin to measure pain sensitivity.
Rate your pain intensity once a day.
Participants record their average facial pain level (0–100) at home in a Daily Symptom Diary.
Text us a photo of your symptom diary each week.
Once a week, participants submit a photo of their Daily Symptom Diary to the study team via text message.
Take one softgel every morning and evening.
Participants take one softgel twice daily for a total of 8 weeks.
Fill out questionnaires in our clinical research area.
The study includes four visits, and participants complete questionnaires at three of these visits.
Compensation is provided on a ClinCard prepaid debit card.
Participants may receive up to $320 for study activities. Parking will be reimbursed at the full-day rate for each in-person study visit.
Provide a blood sample at two visits.
Participants provide a small blood sample (10 mL) at two study visits.
Meet the Study Team
Dr. Anne Sanders
Principal Investigator
Dr. Anne Sanders is an epidemiologist and professor at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. She leads the ADAPT trial, which tests whether marine lipids derived from fatty fish can relieve chronic TMD pain by modulating dysregulated sensory and emotional pain processing.
Dr. Gary Slade
Co-Investigator | Data MANAGEMENT Lead
Dr. Gary Slade is a dentist and epidemiologist and a Co-Investigator on the ADAPT study. He leads the study’s data management and designed and developed TARDIS, the secure data system used to manage ADAPT study information and support its day-to-day research activities.
Lorraine King
Study Coordinator
Lorraine King is the Study Coordinator for ADAPT. She helps coordinate the study’s day-to-day activities and guides participants through each stage of their involvement, from their first contact with the study through study visits and follow-up.