Are Signs of Central Sensitization Present in Tension-type Headache?
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- University Ghent
- Enrollment
- 66
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Pain sensitivity for heat stimuli
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this observational study is to assess the pain sensitivity in tension-type headache patients. The main question it aims to answer is:
- Are signs of central sensitization present in tension-type headache?
Participants will be asked to fill out baseline questionnaires and they will be assessed during 1 test moment (static and dynamic quantitative sensory testing).
Researchers will compare tension-type headache patients with healthy controls to see if signs of central sensitization are only present in the tension-type headache group.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Case Control
- Time Perspective
- Cross Sectional
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Diagnosis of tension headache according to globally recognized criteria (ICHD-3) or verified by a physician
- •Diagnosis of tension headache confirmed by a questionnaire (Headache Screening Questionnaire)
- •Not pregnant or given birth in the past year since a change in hormone levels can affect pain experience
- •Adults between the ages of 18 and 65
- •Proficient in the Dutch language
Exclusion Criteria
- •Other diagnosis of headache or a mixed form
- •Other existing condition involving central nervous system sensitivity
- •Other structural neurological syndromes
- •Any condition involving the brain in the past
- •Procedure on the head, neck, or shoulder in the past 3 years
- •Currently suffering from a psychiatric condition
- •Athletes competing at a competitive level
- •Not proficient in the Dutch language
- •Currently pregnant.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Pain sensitivity for heat stimuli
Time Frame: Baseline
Hypersensitivity for heat pain. The heat stimulus will be delivered with the TSA-2, using a thermode.
Pain sensitivity for cold stimuli
Time Frame: Baseline
Hypersensitivity for cold pain. the cold stimulus will be delivered with the TSA-2, using a thermode.
Pain sensitivity for pressure
Time Frame: Baseline
Hypersensitivity for pressure pain. Pressure will be delivered using a digital algometer.
Function of the pain facilitating pathways
Time Frame: Baseline
Temporal summation will be measured. This gives an idea of the (dys)function of the endogenous pain facilitation system.
Function of the pain inhibiting pathways
Time Frame: Baseline
Conditioned pain modulation will be measured. This gives an idea of the (dys)function of the endogenous pain inhibiting system. A noxious conditioning heat stimulus will be given at the tibial anterior muscle. A test heat or pressure stimulus will be given at the temporalis muscle. The pain-inhibits-pain paradigm will be tested.
Pain sensitivity for electrical stimuli
Time Frame: Baseline
Hypersensitivity for electrical pain. The electrical stimulus will be given with the Digitimer, using an electrode.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported