The Effect of Specific Strength-Training on Tension-Type Headache in Children 9-17 Years

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Tension-Type Headache
• Interventions: Behavioral: Lifestyle Counseling; Device: Specific Strength Training

• Registration Number: NCT01155557
• Lead Sponsor: Herlev Hospital

Brief Summary

This study aims at examining muscle strength capacity in neck and shoulder muscles in children and adolescents with and without tension-type headache, and furthermore examining the effect of a 10 week specific strength training programme for neck and shoulder muscles compared to a multi-disciplinary approach in 10 weeks.

Detailed Description

Frequent and chronic tension type headache are the most frequent pain illnesses in children with a prevalence of 0.5-7,6%. Frequent or daily headache leads to constraints in the child's life in relation to school and social activities.

The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not yet fully examined. In several studies in adults and in children it is found that the shoulder muscles are tense and tender, but it is not known whether this phenomenon is primary or secondary to tension-type headache. A decrease in muscle capacity is furthermore found in studies. We therefore aim at examining parameters for muscle function in order to compare the differences between children with and without headache, and at examining the effect of a 10 week progressive specific strength training programme on headache compared to an in time comparable multidisciplinary intervention based on lifestyle counseling.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-08
• Study First Submitted: 2010-06-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-07-01
• Study First Posted: 2010-07-02
• Primary Completion: 2013-09
• Study Completion: 2014-08
• Status Verified: 2015-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-03-18
• Last Update Posted: 2015-03-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 58

Inclusion Criteria

• primary tension-type headache with no more than one episode of migraine pr. month

Exclusion Criteria

• post-trauma headache
• co-morbidity

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Lifestyle Counseling	Lifestyle Counseling	10 weeks of counseling by nurse and physiotherapist in lifestyle changes.
Specific Strength Training	Specific Strength Training	10 weeks of specific strength training of neck and shoulder muscles using elastic resistance.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Headache	At 3 months follow up.	Number of headache days/ 4 weeks. Mean VAS Score (pain)/4 weeks.
Muscle Capacity	At 3 months follow up.	Neck and shoulder muscle function variables: MVC(maximal voluntary static capacity). RFD(rate of force development). FS(Force-steadiness).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical fitness	At 3 months follow up.	Submaximal ergometer bicycle test
TTS	At 3 months follow up.	Total Tenderness Score ( palpation of pericranial tenderness).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Birte Tornøe; 🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark