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Effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in Paediatric Patients, With High Frequency Headache.

Not Applicable
Conditions
Primary Headache Disorder
Headache Disorders
Interventions
Other: Osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh)
Other: Light Touch Therapy (LTT)
Registration Number
NCT04080258
Lead Sponsor
Antonio Francesco Urbino
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative therapy, in supporting prophylactic medications in paediatric patients, with high frequency headache.

Detailed Description

Headache is one of the most common medical complaints in childhood, with migraine and tension-type headaches (TTHs) being the most frequent diseases. The prevalence of tension-type headache (TTH) varies from 10% to 25% in school children and adolescents. Therefore a range varying from 0,1% to 5,9% of this population presents chronic tension-type headache, occuring at least 15 days on a monthly basis.

The tension-type headache is most likely multifactorial. In children, a connection seems possible between tension-type headache and psychosocial stress, psychiatric disorders, muscular stress, or oromandibular dysfunction.

The treatment of tension-type headache covers a systemic approach that includes both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies, such as biobehavioural management, and patient and family education regarding lifestyle modifications to develop and/or maintain healthy habits. Efficacy of these therapies is still unclear. Complementary therapies could be a good support to pharmacologic treatment. Osteopathic treatment results effective in some paediatric conditions, but in primary headache the possible efficacy is still unknown.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of primary high-frequency headache attacks.
  • No reduction or inconsistent reduction of attacks after two months of prophylactic treatment.
Exclusion Criteria

Secondary headache.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Osteopathic Manipulative TherapyOsteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh)Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMTh). Patients in the OMTh group will receive 5 Osteopathic manipulative therapies: the first at baseline, the second after 1 week, the third after 3 weeks, and then 2 more treatments on a monthly basis. The protocol will last for three months.
Light Touch TherapyLight Touch Therapy (LTT)Participants to the LTT group will receive the protocol at the same date of the OMTh group.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of days with headacheAt baseline (T0), after 1 month (T1), at 3 months from baseline (T2) and follow-up at 6 months from baseline.

Difference in number of days per month with headache

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Reduction of analgesic useAt baseline (T0), after 1 month (T1), at 3 months form baseline (T2) and follow-up at 6 months from baseline

Difference in reduction of analgesic use per month

Reduction of functional disability (school and leisure activity)At baseline (T0), after 1 month (T1), at 3 months form baseline (T2) and follow-up at 6 months from baseline

Days per month with functional disability.

Reduction of headache intensityAt baseline (T0), after 1 month (T1), at 3 months form baseline (T2) and follow-up at 6 months from baseline

Difference in intensity of pain: mild, moderate and severe

Adverse eventFrom first treatment (1 week post-baseline) up to end of treatment course (3 months).

Symptoms such as increased of pain that could occur after the Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy or Light Touch Therapy

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centro Cefalee dell'età evolutiva - Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita S.C. Pediatria d'Urgenza.

🇮🇹

Torino, Italy

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