The Influence of Manual Therapy in the Quality of Life in Tension-Type Headache (MTheadacheQL)

University of Valencia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Quality of Life

Treatments: Other: Control group.; Other: Combined treatment; Other: Spinal manipulative; Other: Suboccipital inhibitory

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02455323

ID004

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present study aims to assess the quality of life of patients suffering from tension-type headache (TTH) treated for 4 weeks with different manual therapy-based techniques. The study design involved a factorial, randomized, double-blind, controlled study

Full description

Object: The present study aims to assess the quality of life of patients suffering from tension-type headache (TTH) treated for 4 weeks with different manual therapy-based techniques.

Methods: The study design involved a factorial, randomized, double-blind, controlled study of 76 subjects. They were divided into 4 groups: suboccipital inhibitory pressure was applied to the first group; suboccipital spinal manipulation was applied to the second group; a combination of the two treatments was applied to the third group; and the fourth group was a control group. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire (both overall and in its different dimensions) at the beginning and at the end of treatment, and after one month as a follow-up.

Enrollment: 76 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosed by a neurologist, with headache characteristics as established by the International Headache Society and Controlled pharmacologically.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with infrequent ETTH, or with probable frequent and infrequent forms of TTH They can never have vomiting or headache episodes during the treatment ETTH patients may experience very occasionally photophobia or phonophobia during their episodes of headache, CTTH patients may experience very occasionally photophobia, phonophobia or mild nausea during headache episodes. Pain aggravated by movement of the head, Metabolic or musculoskeletal problems with similar headache symptoms, Previous trauma to the cervical spine, Active vertigo history Poorly controlled hypertension, Joint stiffness, atherosclerosis, or advanced osteoarthritis, Patients undergoing pharmacological adaptation, Excessive emotional stress, Patients with heart devices Joint instability, Neurological disorders, Laxity of cervical soft tissues, Radiographic abnormalities Generalized hyperlaxity or hypermobility, Pregnancy.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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76 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

Suboccipital inhibitory

Experimental group

Description:

Suboccipital inhibitory pressure technique. According to this technique, the suboccipital musculature is palpated until contact is made with the posterior arch of the atlas, and progressive and deep gliding pressure is applied, pushing the atlas anteriorly. The occiput rests on the hands while the atlas is supported by the fingertips. Finger pressure must be maintained for 10 minutes to produce the therapeutic effect of inhibiting the suboccipital soft tissues.

Treatment:

Other: Suboccipital inhibitory

Spinal Manipulative

Experimental group

Description:

Suboccipital inhibitory pressure technique. This technique is performed along an imaginary vertical line passing through the odontoid process of the axis. No flexion or extension and very little lateroflexion are used. Application is bilateral. First, cephalic decompression is performed lightly, followed by small circumductions. Selective tension is applied to take up tissue slack and create a firm joint barrier. Manipulation is then performed with rotation towards the manipulated side in a helicoidal cranial movement. This technique is designed to correct a generalized dysfunction with the aim of restoring occiput, atlas, and axis joint mobility.

Treatment:

Other: Spinal manipulative

Combined treatment

Experimental group

Description:

Consisted in applying the above two techniques using exactly the same sequence: first the SI technique, and then the SM technique.

Treatment:

Other: Combined treatment

Control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The subjects received no treatment, but attended the same number of sessions, maintaining the resting position for longer than the experimental groups, and underwent the same evaluations (test for arterial compromise, and the three assessments).

Treatment:

Other: Control group.