Comparison of Kinesiology Taping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Cervicogenic Headache

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cervical Pain; Headache

Treatments: Other: kinesiology taping with conventional therapy; Other: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization with conventional therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05474612

Riphah/RCRS/REC/01218

Details and patient eligibility

About

To compare the effects of kinesiology taping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in cervicogenic headache

Full description

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by primarily unilateral pain that originates in the neck, typically provoked by neck movement or pressure over tender points in the neck, with reduced range of movement of the cervical spine . It is characterized by unilateral headache with signs and symptoms of neck involvement, such as, pain by movement, by external pressure over the upper cervical, and/or sustained awkward head positions . Functional impairments (diminished strength and endurance) in the cervical muscles and poorer muscle control of the deep cervical flexors have been shown in patients with cervicogenic headache . The International Headache Society (IHS) has declared CGH as a secondary type of headache.The main cause of CGH is dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, and the mechanism of headache involves nociceptive structures such as the disks, upper cervical spinal nerves, facet joints, ganglia, muscles, and ligaments , pain most commonly arises from the second and third cervical spine (C2/3) facet joints, followed by C5/6 facet joints This sign and symptoms are described as the pain being unilateral or bilateral, affecting the head or face but has most commonly affected the occipital region, frontal region, or retro-orbital region, commonly associated with suboccipital neck pain, but can also be associated with ipsilateral arm discomfort. Other symptoms associated with CGH include dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, inability to concentrate, retro-ocular pain, and visual disturbances.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 44 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Clinically diagnosed cervicogenic headache patients.

• Headache with neck stiffness and pain
• Positive flexion rotation test with restriction 6-10 degree.
• Unilateral headache with referred pattern
• Age between 30-44 years
• Both males and females

Exclusion criteria

• Head and neck surgery
• Congenital deformity
• Erosive bone diseases
• Obese
• Disc pathologies
• Malignancy and infection of neck region
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Dislocation of vertebraes

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

36 participants in 2 patient groups

kinesiology taping with conventional therapy

Experimental group

Description:

Patients in group A is treated with conventional treatment (include stretching exercises of SCM, Scaleni and upper fibers of trapezius followed by strengthening (isometrics) of Neck flexors (SCM, rectus capitis, anterior and longus capitis) and then with kinesiology taping. Two pieces of the tape cutted in a Y-shape. Applied on deep cervical extensors and upper fibers of trapezius.

Treatment:

Other: kinesiology taping with conventional therapy

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization with Conventional therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients in group B is treated with conventional treatment (stretching exercises of SCM, Scaleni and upper fibers of trapezius followed by strengthening (isometrics) of Neck flexors (SCM, rectus capitis, anterior and longus capitis) and then with Instrument Assisted soft tissue mobilization technique. IASTM using tools over the length of targeted muscles (SCM, descending fiber of trapezius, suboccipitalis muscles) in a multidirectional stroking fashion applied to the skin at 30°- 60° for 5 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization with conventional therapy