Cervicogenic Headache
Conditions
Keywords
cervical pain, Headache, Dry needling, Accupressure, myofascial trigger points
Brief summary
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a pre-test and post-test design will be conducted to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of Dry Needling (DN), Acupressure Therapy (AT), and their combination (DN + AT) against a control group receiving Hot Pack Therapy in patients diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CH). This study follows the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines to ensure methodological transparency and rigor. The trial design includes: * Randomization: Participants will be randomly assigned into four study groups. * Blinding: A single-blind approach will be used, where participants are unaware of their group allocation, while the researchers administering the intervention will be aware. * Follow-up Period: Pre-assessment at baseline, post-intervention assessment, and 2-week follow-up. * Data Analysis: Standardized assessment tools will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention.
Detailed description
Study Duration Total Duration: 1 year Intervention Period: 2 weeks Follow-Up: Pre-test, post-test, and 2-week follow-up Intervention Procedures 1. Group A (Dry Needling Therapy - DN) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * Needling sites: Myofascial trigger points in cervical muscles * Session duration: 20-30 minutes * Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (5 minutes) 2. Group B (Acupressure Therapy - AT) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * Pressure applied to cervical acupressure points * Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10 minutes) 3. Group C (Combined Therapy - DN + AT) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * Both DN and AT applied in sequence * Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10-15 minutes) 4. Group D (Control - Hot Pack Therapy) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * 15-minute heat therapy per session * No active intervention
Interventions
OTHERHot Pack
Hot fermentation will be applied on cervical pain area
OTHERDRY NEEDLING
Myofacial trigger point dry needling used to treat taught bands superficial or deep inside of muscles .
OTHERAcupressure
Acupressure therapy based on traditional Chinese principles
OTHERDry needling and Acupressure therapy
combination of dry needling and acupressure therapy on cervical trigger points
Sponsors
National Health Care Center (NHC) The Doctors Plaza Physical Therapy
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
only participants were unaware of treatment selection and choice of techniques would be applied.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Male and female patients aged 20 to 50 years Diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CGH) based on International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria Chronic CGH symptoms (i.e., persisting for at least 3 months) No previous dry needling (DN) or acupressure therapy (AT) within the last 6 months Able and willing to provide informed consent and comply with treatment and follow-up protocols
Exclusion criteria
History of cervical spine surgery, significant trauma, or vertebral tumors/neoplasms Congenital spinal deformities (e.g., scoliosis, spina bifida) Diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, vestibular disorders, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, or cervical fractures Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or analgesics that may affect pain perception Diagnosed neurological, musculoskeletal, or orthopaedic conditions that affect balance, gait, or functional mobility Pregnancy (optional, often excluded in physiotherapy/dry needling trials)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS) | 04 weeks | Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS) that is comprises over no's from 0 to 10 . 0 consider as no pain while 10 considered as worst pain. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| secondary out come measures | A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup | Cervical range of motion |
| functional status | A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup | functional status by (Patient-Specific Functional Scale, PSFS). |
| Quality of life of patients with cervicogenic headache | A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup | impact on human Quality of life of patients with cervicogenic headache will be measured by using Headache Impact Test |
| Psycho-social characteristics | A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup | Psycho-social characteristics by (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, DASS-21 |
| Sleep quality | A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup | Sleep quality by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed