Dry Needling for Cervicogenic Headache

Emory University7 enrolled

Overview

This is a single-blinded randomized clinical trial. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of dry needling of myofascial trigger points in the muscles of the head and cervical spine in addition to an upper extremity strengthening/stretching exercise program compared to a dry needling group alone on pain scores, cervical range of motion, pain sensitivity and changes in severity and frequency of pain symptoms in individuals with cervicogenic headache.

This is a single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Eligible participants who agree to enroll in the study will be asked to attend four testing sessions. Participants in both groups will receive dry needling to the involved head and cervical muscles and the other group, in addition to receiving a dry needling intervention, will be instructed in a standard home exercise program consisting of strengthening and stretching exercises for the upper quarter. All dry needling (using standard clean technique) will be performed by licensed physical therapists board certified in orthopaedic physical therapy and having a minimum of 5 years of experience treating patient populations with dry needling. The aim of this research study is to compare he effectiveness of dry needling alone with dry needling and a home exercise program on pain, pain sensitivity, cervical range of motion, and changes in the severity and frequency among individuals with headache symptoms.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Headache Cervicogenic Headache

Interventions

Dry NeedlingPROCEDURE

Dry Needling is a treatment technique whereby a sterile, single-use, fine filament needle is inserted into the muscle to assist with decreasing pain and improving function through the release of myofascial trigger points (knots in the muscle).

Upper extremity stretching programOTHER

A standard home exercise program consisting of strengthening and stretching exercises for the upper quarter

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Unilateral headache (HA) without side shift * H/o pain triggered by neck movement * Limitation in cervical range of motion * Ispilateral neck, shoulder or arm pain * Intermittent pain with episodes varying in duration * Head and neck pain is non-throbbing in nature Exclusion Criteria: * Use of anti-coagulation medicine (except low dose aspirin) * Pregnancy * Acute or uncontrolled medical illness * Opioid use within six months * Fibromyalgia or diffuse painful syndromes in the UE or LE * Substance abuse * Presence of fever, vomiting or visual changes

Locations (1)

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in visual analog score for pain level

Pain is reported using a Visual Analog Scale from 0-10 and evaluates the frequency, severity and duration of the pain. Higher score indicates worse outcome.