Tension-Type Headache
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this observational study is to assess the pain sensitivity in tension-type headache patients. The main question it aims to answer is: \- Are signs of central sensitization present in tension-type headache? Participants will be asked to fill out baseline questionnaires and they will be assessed during 1 test moment (static and dynamic quantitative sensory testing). Researchers will compare tension-type headache patients with healthy controls to see if signs of central sensitization are only present in the tension-type headache group.
Interventions
OTHERQuantitative Sensory Testing
Assessment of the heat and cold pain thresholds, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, pressure pain thresholds, electrical pain thresholds, and withdrawal reflex.
Sponsors
University Ghent
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Inclusion criteria
1. Diagnosis of tension headache according to globally recognized criteria (ICHD-3) or verified by a physician 2. Diagnosis of tension headache confirmed by a questionnaire (Headache Screening Questionnaire) 3. Not pregnant or given birth in the past year since a change in hormone levels can affect pain experience 4. Adults between the ages of 18 and 65 5. Proficient in the Dutch language
Exclusion criteria
1. Other diagnosis of headache or a mixed form 2. Other existing condition involving central nervous system sensitivity 3. Other structural neurological syndromes 4. Any condition involving the brain in the past 5. Procedure on the head, neck, or shoulder in the past 3 years 6. Currently suffering from a psychiatric condition 7. Athletes competing at a competitive level 8. Not proficient in the Dutch language 9. Currently pregnant.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain sensitivity for heat stimuli | Baseline | Hypersensitivity for heat pain. The heat stimulus will be delivered with the TSA-2, using a thermode. |
| Pain sensitivity for cold stimuli | Baseline | Hypersensitivity for cold pain. the cold stimulus will be delivered with the TSA-2, using a thermode. |
| Pain sensitivity for electrical stimuli | Baseline | Hypersensitivity for electrical pain. The electrical stimulus will be given with the Digitimer, using an electrode. |
| Pain sensitivity for pressure | Baseline | Hypersensitivity for pressure pain. Pressure will be delivered using a digital algometer. |
| Function of the pain facilitating pathways | Baseline | Temporal summation will be measured. This gives an idea of the (dys)function of the endogenous pain facilitation system. |
| Function of the pain inhibiting pathways | Baseline | Conditioned pain modulation will be measured. This gives an idea of the (dys)function of the endogenous pain inhibiting system. A noxious conditioning heat stimulus will be given at the tibial anterior muscle. A test heat or pressure stimulus will be given at the temporalis muscle. The pain-inhibits-pain paradigm will be tested. |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
Primary ContactJessica Van Oosterwijck, Prof
Outcome results
None listed