Force production and EMG activity of neck muscles in adolescent headache.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the maximal force, EMG/force ratio and co-activation characteristics of the neck-shoulder muscles between 30 adolescents with migraine-type headache, 29 with tension-type headache, and 30 headache-free controls.


METHODS
Force was measured with surface electromyography (EMG) from the cervical erector spinae (CES), the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius muscles during the maximal isometric neck flexion, neck extension and shoulder flexion.


RESULTS
Girls with migraine-type headache had higher EMG/force ratios between the EMG of the left agonist SCM muscle and the corresponding maximal neck flexion (p = 0.030) and neck rotation force to the right side (p = 0.024) than the girls with tension-type headache. Migrainous girls had more co-activation of right antagonist CES muscle during maximal neck flexion force than the girls without headache (p = 0.015). Neck force production showed no significant differences between girls. Girls with tension-type headache displayed lower left shoulder flexion force than girls with migraine-type headache (p = 0.005) or with no headache (p = 0.005). In boys, no significant differences were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Girls with tension-type headache and migraine-type headache have differences in neuromuscular function in the neck-shoulder muscles. The data amplify our knowledge of the neck-shoulder muscle dysfunction in adolescent headache, and may encourage the use of specific rehabilitation methods in the management of different types of headache.
Oksanen
Airi
A
Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. airi.oksanen@tyks.fi
Pöyhönen
Tapani
T
Ylinen
Jari J
JJ
Metsähonkala
Liisa
L
Anttila
Pirjo
P
Laimi
Katri
K
Hiekkanen
Heikki
H
Aromaa
Minna
M
Salminen
Jouko J
JJ
Sillanpää
Matti
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation