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Mulligan Mobilizations Versus Active Release Technique in Tension-type Headache.

R

Riphah International University

Status

Not yet enrolling

Conditions

Tension-Type Headache

Treatments

Other: Active Release Technique
Other: Mulligan mobilizations with active release technique
Other: Mulligan mobilizations

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06452628
REC/ RCR & AHS/23/01107

Details and patient eligibility

About

Tension-type headaches, characterized by a dull, aching head pain, are one of the most prevalent forms of headache disorders worldwide. Although they are typically not associated with severe disability or neurological symptoms, they can significantly impact an individual's quality of life due to chronic pain and discomfort. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as manual therapy techniques, have gained prominence in headache management, offering potential relief and functional improvements for patients. This study aims to investigate the comparative effectiveness of two widely used manual therapy approaches, Mulligan mobilization and Active Release Technique (ART), in alleviating pain, reducing disability, and enhancing range of motion (ROM) in patients suffering from tension-type headaches. Understanding which technique offers superior outcomes is vital for optimizing headache management strategies.

Full description

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will recruit adult participants diagnosed with tension-type headaches according to standardized criteria. Eligible individuals will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: The Mulligan mobilization group, the ART group, and the control group. Each group will undergo a specific manual therapy intervention protocol administered by trained therapists. The primary outcome measures will include assessments of pain intensity via VAS, disability levels via Headache disability index (HDI), Stress levels will be assessed by PSS (Perceived Stress Scale), and ROM of the cervical spine by using the Flexion rotation test. Secondary outcomes will encompass patient-reported measures of headache frequency, medication usage, and overall quality of life. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at follow-up intervals. Statistical analyses will be conducted to assess and compare the effects of the two interventions on the primary and secondary outcomes using ANOVA from SPSS software, thereby addressing the research question regarding their relative efficacy. This study holds the potential to enhance the evidence base for non-pharmacological headache management and guide clinicians and patients toward more effective treatment choices.

Enrollment

33 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 45 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals aged 18-35 years.
  • Diagnosis of chronic tension-type headache according to the International Classification of --Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) criteria.
  • Baseline HDI from 10 and above, and NPRS score 3 and above.
  • No prior exposure to any of the two interventions (ART and Mulligan Mobilization).

Exclusion criteria

  • All other types of headaches.

    • Individuals taking medications for headaches.
    • Serious neurological or medical conditions that could affect the study outcomes.
    • History of psychiatric disorders.
    • Recent head or neck trauma or surgery.
    • Contraindications for any of the two interventions.
    • Participation in other headache management studies during the study period.

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Single Blind

33 participants in 3 patient groups

Group A
Experimental group
Description:
This group will receive Mulligan mobilizations.
Treatment:
Other: Mulligan mobilizations
Group B
Active Comparator group
Description:
This group will receive the Active release technique.
Treatment:
Other: Active Release Technique
Group C
Other group
Description:
This group will receive both techniques combined.
Treatment:
Other: Mulligan mobilizations with active release technique

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Central trial contact

Imran Amjad, PhD; Imran Amjad, PhD

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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