title: A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus Amitriptyline in Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) to treat patients with chronic tension-type headaches (CTTHs) comparing with amitriptyline taking. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty patients diagnosed with CTTH were equally divided into a treatment and a control group. The treatment group received a 45-minute course of CTTM twice per week lasting 4 weeks while the control group was prescribed 25 mg of amitriptyline once a day before bedtime lasting 4 weeks. Outcome measures were evaluated in week 2, week 4 and followed up in week 6 consisting of visual analog scale (VAS), tissue hardness, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and heart rate variability (HRV). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in VAS pain intensity for the CTTM group at different assessment time points while a significant difference occurred in within-group and between-group comparison (P < 0.05) for each evaluated measure. Moreover, the tissue hardness of the CTTM group was significantly lower than the control group at week 4 (P < 0.05). The PPT and HRV of the CTTM group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). CTTM could be an alternative therapy for treatment of patients with CTTHs.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Peerada
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damapong
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Naowarat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanchanakhan
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Back, Neck, and Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eungpinichpong
authors.affiliation: Bamnet Narong Hospital, Amphur Bamnet Narong, Chaiyaphum Province 36160, Thailand.
authors.forename: Prasobsook
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Putthapitak
authors.affiliation: College of Allied Health Science, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pongmada
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damapong