Quality of Life
Conditions
Keywords
Efficacy, Tension-type headache, Manual therapy
Brief summary
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
Detailed 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.
Interventions
OTHERSuboccipital inhibitory
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. The aim is to suppress spasm of the muscles and in general of the suboccipital soft tissues which are responsible for any dysfunctional mobility of the occiput, atlas, or even the axis.
OTHERSpinal manipulative
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
OTHERCombined treatment
Consisted in applying the above two techniques using exactly the same sequence: first the SI technique, and then the SM technique.
OTHERControl group.
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).
Sponsors
University of Valencia
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| frequency of pain | one month prior to the study | These included major aspects for TTH verification, including frequency of noted pain (less than 15 days monthly = ETTH; more than 15 days monthly = CTTH) response to the classification of the IHS. |
| severity of pain | one month prior to the study | These included major aspects for TTH verification, including severity of pain response to the classification of the IHS. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| quality of life | 8 weeks | To assess the subject's quality of life, we applied the health status questionnaire SF-12v2 (Short Form 12 Health Survey) which has shown to be highly reliable. This questionnaire has been adapted to the Spanish context by Alonso et al. and Monteagudo et al. |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed