Efficacy of physiotherapy including a craniocervical training programme for tension-type headache; a randomized clinical trial.
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.
van Ettekoven
H
H
Centre for Physiotherapy and Manual Therapy, Amstelveen, the Netherlands.
Lucas
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome