Effectiveness of the Treatment of Tension-type Headache With Manual and Manipulative Therapy in the Perception of Pain and Cervical Motion: a Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Tension-type Headache
- Sponsor
- University of Valencia
- Enrollment
- 84
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- An individual clinical interview was conducted to collect socio-demographic data and characteristics of headache in a one-month base period (the previous 4 weeks)
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 13 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Background. Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common form of primary headache and it is a real problem for the subjects suffering from it. Until now, physiotherapy treatments have included different techniques combined together, without establishing which of them is more effective.
Objective. The purpose of this study is to know the effectiveness of manipulative and manual therapy treatments, with regard to pain perception and neck mobility in patients with tension-type headache.
Methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted, with 84 patients diagnosed with tension-type headache, divided into three treatment groups -manual therapy, manipulative therapy, and a combination of both techniques-, and a placebo control group. Four treatment sessions were administered during four weeks, with post-treatment assessment, and follow-up at one month. Cervical ranges of motion were assessed (CROM device), as well as pain perception (McGill Pain Questionnaire), and frequency and intensity of headaches (weekly register).
Investigators
GEMMA V ESPÍ LÓPEZ, PhD
PhD, PT
University of Valencia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Subjects aged between 18 and 65 years
- •Diagnosis of frequent ETTH and CTTH
- •Having headache episodes on more than 1 day per month
- •Headache episodes lasting from 30 minutes to 7 days
- •Headaches having at least 2 of the following characteristics:
- •Bilateral location of pain
- •Pressing non pulsating quality
- •Mild or moderate intensity
- •Not aggravated by physical activity
- •Sufferers may present photophobia, phonophobia, nausea or vomiting
Exclusion Criteria
- •Patients with infrequent ETTH, and patients with probable TTH in its frequent and infrequent forms.
- •Headache that is aggravated by head movements.
- •Metabolic or musculoskeletal disorders with symptoms similar to headache
- •Previous neck trauma
- •Vertigo, dizziness, arterial hypertension.
- •Joint stiffness, arteriosclerosis or advanced degenerative osteoarthritis
- •Patients with heart devices
- •Patients in process of pharmacological adaptation
- •Excessive emotional tension
- •Neurological disorders
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
An individual clinical interview was conducted to collect socio-demographic data and characteristics of headache in a one-month base period (the previous 4 weeks)
Time Frame: up to 4 weeks
Firstly, socio-demographic data and characteristics of headache were collected during the four weeks prior to the treatment through individual clinical interview carried out by a physiotherapist who did not participate in the outcome assessment nor in the administration of treatments. It included age and sex, location of pain, side dominance of pain, type of pressure, connection with physical activity, frequency, severity of pain, associated symptoms and pain intensity, rated by the patient on the 0-10 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (0 = no pain, 10 = most severe pain).
Secondary Outcomes
- Multidimensional perception of pain, assessed by the McGill Pain Questionnaire(up to 8 weeks)
- Cervical ranges of motion, measured with the CROM-device(up to 8 weeks)
- Weekly register(up to 7 weeks)