Effect of neck muscle exercises on headache frequency and well-being in young adults with tension-type headache.

Effectiveness of deep cervical flexor training on frequency, muscle function, and psychosocial outcomes in young adults with tension-type headache: a randomized controlled trial. - DCF-HEAD Trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

CTRI

Registry ID

CTRI/2026/02/103258

Enrollment

Registered

2026-02-06

Start date

Unknown

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-03-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Interventions

Intervention1: Deep Cervical Flexor Training with the pressure Biofeedback: 1. Biofeedback-assisted cranio-cervical flexion exercises (pressure biofeedback unit) 2. Postural corrective exercises 3. 3

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Young adults aged 20 to 25 years 2. All genders will be included 3. Diagnosed with episodic or chronic TTH according to ICHD 3 criteria 4. Reporting headache frequency more than or equal to 4 days per month over the last 3 months 5. Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. History of cervical spine injury or surgery 2. Neurological or psychiatric disorders requiring active medical treatment 3. Migraine or other primary headache disorders 4. Anyone who is on pain-relieving medication 5. Systemic musculoskeletal conditions affecting the neck and upper back 6. Neurological or vascular problems, 7. Orthopedic problems in the Neck or shoulder region, and a history of spine surgery. 8. All secondary headaches will be excluded

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Headache frequency, days per week from headache diaries. 2. Muscle Function Cranio Cervical Flexion Test CCFT with pressure biofeedback unit.Timepoint: at 0 weeks, at 6 weeks and after that in follow up every month for next 3 months.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Headache Pain Intensity: assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 2. Psychosocial Measures: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), 3. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 4. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Young Adult Version PedsQL-YA. 5. Headache-Related Disability: Headache disability inventory (HDI).Timepoint: at 0 weeks, at 6 weeks and after that in follow up every month for next 3 months.	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Headache Pain Intensity: assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 2. Psychosocial Measures: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), 3. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 4. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Young Adult Version PedsQL-YA. 5. Headache-Related Disability: Headache disability inventory (HDI).Timepoint: at 0 weeks, at 6 weeks and after that in follow up every month for next 3 months.

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Countries

India

Contacts

Public ContactDr Sachin S Gawande

Motiwala College of Physiotherapy Nashik

dr.sachingawande.physio@gmail.com7709119974

Outcome results