Predictors of responsiveness to physiotherapy management of cervicogenic headache.
A recent randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise and manipulative therapy on 200 subjects with cervicogenic headache. Although treatments were efficacious, 25% of patients did not achieve a clinically acceptable outcome--50% reduction in headache frequency. This study aimed to identify predictors from variables in subjects' demographics and headache history which might identify those who did or did not achieve a 50-79% or 80-100% reduction in headache immediately after the active treatments and 12 months postintervention. The results revealed no consistent pattern of predictors, although the absence of light-headedness indicated higher odds of achieving either a 50-79% [odds ratio (OR) = 5.45) or 80-100% (OR = 5.7) reduction in headache frequency in the long term. Headaches of at least moderate intensity, the patient's age and chronicity of headache did not mitigate against a successful outcome from physiotherapy intervention.
Jull
G A
GA
Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia. g.jull@shrs.uq.edu.au
Stanton
W R
WR
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome