Tension-type headaches (TTH) last from thirty minutes to seven days, were ranked second among the primary types of headaches. The diagnosis of TTH is made according to the diagnostic criteria of the Second Beta version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. The causes of TTH include the activation of extremely tense peripheric afferent neurons through the head and neck muscles, muscle sensitivity and stress. Additionally, a limited range of motion (ROM) in the neck may also lead to TTH. The treatment of TTH involve both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. It is known that the pharmacological treatment of TTH has a limited effect. However, previous studies have shown that physical therapy programs that include methods such as acupuncture, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), exercise, biofeedback, manipulation, cryotherapy, massage, strengthening of the neck muscles, stretching exercises are effective in alleviating TTH. It has been observed that the trigger points in muscles play a role in TTH. Trigger points are generally defined as hyper-irritable points inside taut bands. It has been demonstrated that myofascial release, which is applied to the trigger points and is effective in relaxation treatments through stimulation of the neuromuscular system, relieves headaches via muscle relaxation. Electroacupuncture is another method used in relieving myofascial pain origin that involves the application of acupuncture needles to particular points and delivery of an electrical current at a specific frequency. The stimulation of muscle and skin tissues in affected areas is carried out by means of needles and the electrical current relieves pain and muscle spasms. In a meta-analysis study, it was found that electroacupuncture had a higher pain-relieving effect. However, a review of related studies deemed them to be lacking because the assessments were too limited to make it possible to unequivocally state that electroacupuncture has a high level of therapeutic efficacy. The studies performed, however, did not examine the efficacy of electroacupuncture and myofascial release on TTH. Given that situation, the purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture and myofascial release applied to points of tension in the neck muscles and trigger points of people suffering from TTH in terms of the headache intensity and frequency, neck functions, sleep quality and depression status.
The 19 individuals who were referred to Bahçeşehir University's Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at the School of Health Sciences, with TTH, and who were 18 years of age and older, were recruited for the study. The individuals were randomly allocated into electroacupuncture and myofascial release groups with the Research Randomizer program. Evaluation Methods A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate pain levels of the participants, CROM (Cervical Range of Motion) to evaluate neck ROM, Beck's Depression Inventory to evaluate depression status, Neck Pain Disability Scale to evaluate to evaluate the effect of their neck pain on the activities of the daily living Headache Diary to evaluate clinical features of the headache
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
19
An electrical current of 2 mA and 60 Hz was administered using the Enraf Nonius Sonoplus 492 (OPTOMED) device for 20 minutes. All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.
longitudinal stretching, friction massage and pinching technique, All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.
Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change from Baseline Pain Intensity at Three Weeks
VAS, is used to evaluate the intensity of pain, using a scale comprised of a 100-mm-long horizontal line and ending with at both ends by descriptors of pain intensity beginning with "no pain" to "extreme pain. Patients are asked to indicate their levels of pain on this range by placing a dot on the line
Time frame: 3 weeks
Change from Baseline Headache Intensity at Three Weeks
Headache diary (HD): Patients kept an HD for three weeks to record the clinical features of their headaches. In this diary, subjects documented the number of days per week that they experienced a headache, the duration of each headache (hour/day), and the headache intensity on a 5-point numerical pain rating scale (0: no pain, 5: maximum pain). For each subject, Headache index (HI) was calculated for the first and last ten days of the intervention period as following: Headache index (HI) = mean headache intensity X mean number of days with headache X mean duration of headache
Time frame: 3 weeks
Change from Baseline Range of Motion of the Neck at Three Weeks
The join ROM of the neck was measured via C-ROM goniometer which consists of two inclinometers for gravity on the sagittal and frontal planes, an inclinometer with magnetic needles that is inserted from above on the horizontal plane, a magnetic cervical collar, an arm with a ruler in cm units and a vertebral fixating arm with a balance system. This device has a plastic frame with a shape that is similar to a pair of glasses, as it rests on the nose and ears. During all measurements, the subjects were asked to sit on a chair with their arms held close to their bodies. Subjects were asked to look forward in a comfortable sitting position for the performance of the measurements. The initial position of each movement was set an angle of 0 degrees. The measurements were conducted while the subjects performed forward/backward bending, left/right side-bending and rotation movements on the left and right sides of the neck.
Time frame: 3 weeks
Change from Baseline Depression Status at Three Weeks
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory, which was developed to measure depression symptoms in adult individuals. The individuals assigned a score of 0 to 3 for the items of the 21-item scale, which measures characteristic attitudes and depression symptoms. The highest score that can be obtained on the scale is 63, while the threshold value is considered to be 17.
Time frame: 3 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.