Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT05692232

The Efficacy of Manual Therapy and Pressure Biofeedback Guided Strength Training on Pain and Functional Limitations

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a widespread illness that results in excruciating pain and a sizable functional handicap. Deep cervical flexor muscle (DCFM) strength and endurance were also worse in CGH patients. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of manual therapy and pressure biofeedback-guided DCFM strength training on pain intensity and functional limitations in individuals with CGH.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Cervicogenic Headache Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Headache Disorders Headache Disorders, Secondary Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Post-Traumatic Headache Signs and Symptoms

Age range

25 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of applied Medical Science, King Saud University

Riyadh, 11433, Saudi Arabia

About this study

The study followed a two-arms parallel group randomized comparative design, including sixty individuals with CGH, and they were allocated into two groups at random. For three consecutive weeks, in addition to the conventional treatment common to both groups, groups 1 and 2 received pressure biofeedback-guided DCFM strength training and manual therapy, respectively. At baseline, the first week, the second week, and the third week post intervention, pain intensity and functional limitations were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), the number of headache days per week, and the headache disability inventory (HDI) questionnaire. The main effects of the intervention were evaluated for a between-group factor, within-group factor, and interaction between time and groups over/at multiple time points. Data was analyzed using an independent t-test, mixed design 2-way ANOVA, with keeping the level of significance 'p' at 0.05.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individual with a diagnosed case of cervicogenic headache with unilateral head pain without side shift or bilateral head pain with a dominant side that hurts more than the other side, sustained awkward head positioning, external pressure over the upper cervical or occipital region on the symptomatic side.
  • Aged between 25 and 50 years
  • Patients with recurrent CGH and chronic mechanical neck discomfort that has persisted for longer than three months.
  • A positive cervical flexion rotation test.

Exclusion criteria

  • a negative cervical flexion rotation test.
  • Subjects had a history of any of the following conditions: a fractured vertebral column or previous surgery on it; spinal stenosis; a prolapsed disc; temporomandibular joint dysfunction or headaches involving the autonomic nervous system; vertigo or visual disturbance; or a congenital condition of the cervical spine.
  • Showed non-cooperation

Treatment and study plan

Pressure biofeedback guided DCFM strength training

Other

A pressure biofeedback guided DCFM strength training was carried out according to the Jull protocol. Keeping the participant's cervical spine in a neutral position and ensuring a stabilizer pressure biofeedback unit placed beneath the cervical lordosis. The pressure sensor was inflated at 20mm Hg. The participants were asked to nod their heads slowly. As the DCFM is activated, the cervical lordosis gently flattens, and the pressure sensor measures an increase in pressure. The activation score is the maximum pressure that can maintain for 10 seconds.

Manual therapy

Other

A manual therapy, including a slow, sustained elongation of muscles with a holding period of 7-10 seconds and a superficial oscillatory mobilization (grade-I) with 1-2 oscillations per second for 30 seconds per session was performed on the DCFM and at the cervical spine (C0-C5), respectively. The participants were asked to lie supine and prone while delivering stretching and mobilization, respectively.

Conventional intervention

Other

A hot pads was applied for 20minutes underneath the cervical spine covering either side of shoulder in a relaxed supine position.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    The pain intensity was assessed by a visual analogue scale. It is a reliable and valid tool to measure the pain intensity. It is an objective line marked with zero indicate no pain and ten indicate maximum unbearable pain at the either end of the line. Individuals are asked to show the level of pain by putting their fingers on the line between either ends.

  2. Functional limitations

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    The functional limitation due to cervicogenic headache was evaluated by a self-rated questionnaire called as, Headache Disability Index. A minimum and maximum scores ranges from 0 to 100. a score of 10-28 is considered to constitute mild disability; 30-48 is moderate disability; 50-68 is severe disability; 72 or more is complete disability.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

King Saud University

Other

Collaborators

  • Majmaah University

Registry information

Official study title

The Efficacy of Manual Therapy and Pressure Biofeedback Guided Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Strength Training on Pain and Functional Limitations in Individuals With Cervicogenic Headaches. A Randomized Comparative Study

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Jan 20, 2023
Registry last updated
Jan 25, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.