Efficacy of physiotherapy including a craniocervical training programme for tension-type headache; a randomized clinical trial.

Full Abstract

We conducted a multicentre, randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. The treatment period was 6 weeks with follow-up assessment immediately thereafter and after 6 months. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of a craniocervical training programme combined with physiotherapy for tension-type headache. Eighty-one participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for tension-type headache were randomly assigned to an exercise group (physiotherapy and an additional craniocervical training programme) and a control group (physiotherapy alone). The primary outcome measure was headache frequency. Secondary outcomes included headache intensity and duration, Quality of Life (SF-36) and the Multidimensional Headache Locus of Control scale (MHLC). At 6 months' follow-up, the craniocervical training group showed significantly reduced headache frequency, intensity and duration (P < 0.001 for all). Effect sizes were large and clinically relevant. Loss to follow-up amounted to 3.7%. Physiotherapy including craniocervical training reduces symptoms of tension-type headache significantly over a prolonged time frame.

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Author information

Author/s: van Ettekoven, H (H); Lucas, C (C);

Affiliation: Centre for Physiotherapy and Manual Therapy, Amstelveen, the Netherlands.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache (Cephalalgia), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 26 (issue 8) : pp 983-91

Dates: Created 2006/08/04; Completed 2006/09/20; Revised 2008/02/11;

PMID: 16886935, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Evid Based Med. 2007 Feb;12(1):14. (PMID: 17264262)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Biofeedback (Psychology) - methods
Exercise Therapy - methods; statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Male

Middle Aged
Musculoskeletal Manipulations - methods
Netherlands - epidemiology
Single-Blind Method
Tension-Type Headache - epidemiology; therapy
Treatment Outcome

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