MedPath

Headache Analysis and Intervention

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Headache
Interventions
Other: Individual Profile Analysis (Physical therapy Intervention)
Registration Number
NCT02887638
Lead Sponsor
Hasselt University
Brief Summary

Diagnosing and treating posture-related headache (PRH), such as tension-type and cervicogenic headache, is seriously hampered because of common features and complex interaction of the neurological and musculoskeletal system. Current therapies are therefore not as effective and the population of patients with PRH keeps on increasing. The diagnostic as well as the therapeutic process need more structure in order to select the most effective treatment; thereby contributing to preventive measures. This goal can be achieved through fundamental research with a clinically oriented background. Our study starts from a clinical problem, with a growing incidence, and is therefore highly relevant. Because sitting-posture seems to play an important role in PRH, the first step in the diagnostic process is to analyse postural differences between a PRH- and a control-group. In addition, the role of the dura mater in the headache-process will be examined. Patients with PRH will be classified in homogeneous groups based on these results. In a second phase individual-specific treatment programs will be composed. The general treatment-approach of postural abnormalities in the past failed because of the heterogeneous patient-populations. Sub-classifying musculoskeletal problems has been proven to be successful in the past (O'Sullivan \& Dankaerts, non-specific low back pain).

Our study is divided in 2 phases:

* phase 1: profile analysis (no intervention, experimental headache-group vs. asymptomatic controls)

* phase 2: interventional phase (clustered headache-groups, based on the results of phase 1

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
36
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
headacheIndividual Profile Analysis (Physical therapy Intervention)Patients diagnosed (neurologist - anesthesiologist - manual therapist) with tension-type and/or cervicogenic headache. During a first phase the sitting-posture, dura mater profile and pain-profile of the Headache-group will be analyzed. In a second phase, the patients will be sub-classified according to the data-analysis and receive intervention (Individual Profile Analysis +Physical therapy Intervention)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Sitting-posture-profileweek 1 up to week 8

Sitting-posture will be measured with a 3D-video analysis (Bonita, ©Vicon Motion Systems Ltd. UK). Markers are placed on specific anatomical reference points on the participant. Afterwards angles (°) will be automatically calculated (Nexus, ©Vicon Motion Systems Ltd. UK)

Pain-Profileday 1

'Pain Pressure Threshold' will be measured. Through pressure- algometry (a) 'Pressure Pain Detection Threshold' (kPa/cm²) and (b) 'Pressure Pain Tolerance' (sec) will be determined (Somedic Sales AB, Stockholm Sweden).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Headache-related medication-use, headache intensity, duration and frequency.week -4 up to week 8

Through the use of a specific diary the secondary outcomes will be evaluated.

Impact of headache on the quality of life.week -4 up to week 8

The 'Headache Impact Test (HIT-6)' will be used.

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg

🇧🇪

Genk, Belgium

Jessa Ziekenhuis

🇧🇪

Hasselt, Belgium

Orbis Medisch Centrum

🇳🇱

Sittard, Netherlands

Leuven University

🇧🇪

Leuven, Belgium

Zuyd University

🇳🇱

Heerlen, Netherlands

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath