Art-Based Pain Assessment Tool in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Title of Study: Assessment of the Impact of Art-Based Pain Assessment Tool on Pain Communication, Joint Function, and Anxiety in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD): A Randomized Controlled Trial Location: King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (KAUFD), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia What Is This Study About? This study examines how an art-based tool can help improve communication and understanding of pain among patients with jaw joint disorders (TMD). It compares two groups: * Standard care: Routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures * Intervention: Standard care plus a guided art-based tool using paintings to express and discuss the TMD experiences What Is the Art-Based Tool? This novel method, called the Artistic Pain Exploration (APE), uses paintings to help patients describe their pain that relates to TMD and its effect on their quality of life: 1. Participants will be shown three paintings (e.g., The Scream by Edvard Munch) 2. Participants will choose the one that best resonates with them 3. A guided discussion follows, exploring how the image relates to their physical and emotional pain as well as the effect of pain on their daily activities Research Questions: 1. Does using the APE method help participants better communicate and understand their pain? 2. Does it improve jaw function and reduce anxiety more than standard assessment? Who Can Participate? Participants may be eligible if they: * Are 18 years or older * Have early-stage TMD (not needing surgery) * Can give informed consent Participants cannot participate if they: * Require jaw surgery * Have severe mental illness (e.g., psychosis or bipolar disorder) * Take narcotic pain medications regularly What Will Happen During the Study? * Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two groups. * Each participant will complete a standardized questionnaire before and after two weeks to assess the level of anxiety. * All participants will be screened for depression via a standardized