Signs of Central Sensitization in Tension-type Headache

University Ghent66 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to assess the pain sensitivity in tension-type headache patients. The main question it aims to answer is: \- Are signs of central sensitization present in tension-type headache? Participants will be asked to fill out baseline questionnaires and they will be assessed during 1 test moment (static and dynamic quantitative sensory testing). Researchers will compare tension-type headache patients with healthy controls to see if signs of central sensitization are only present in the tension-type headache group.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Tension-Type Headache

Interventions

Quantitative Sensory TestingOTHER

Assessment of the heat and cold pain thresholds, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, pressure pain thresholds, electrical pain thresholds, and withdrawal reflex.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of tension headache according to globally recognized criteria (ICHD-3) or verified by a physician 2. Diagnosis of tension headache confirmed by a questionnaire (Headache Screening Questionnaire) 3. Not pregnant or given birth in the past year since a change in hormone levels can affect pain experience 4. Adults between the ages of 18 and 65 5. Proficient in the Dutch language Exclusion Criteria: 1. Other diagnosis of headache or a mixed form 2. Other existing condition involving central nervous system sensitivity 3. Other structural neurological syndromes 4. Any condition involving the brain in the past 5. Procedure on the head, neck, or shoulder in the past 3 years 6. Currently suffering from a psychiatric condition 7. Athletes competing at a competitive level 8. Not proficient in the Dutch language 9. Currently pregnant.

Locations (1)

Ghent University

Ghent, East-Flanders, Belgium

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain sensitivity for heat stimuli

Hypersensitivity for heat pain. The heat stimulus will be delivered with the TSA-2, using a thermode.

Time frame: Baseline

Pain sensitivity for cold stimuli

Hypersensitivity for cold pain. the cold stimulus will be delivered with the TSA-2, using a thermode.

Time frame: Baseline

Pain sensitivity for electrical stimuli

Hypersensitivity for electrical pain. The electrical stimulus will be given with the Digitimer, using an electrode.

Time frame: Baseline

Pain sensitivity for pressure

Hypersensitivity for pressure pain. Pressure will be delivered using a digital algometer.

Time frame: Baseline

Function of the pain facilitating pathways

Temporal summation will be measured. This gives an idea of the (dys)function of the endogenous pain facilitation system.

Time frame: Baseline

Function of the pain inhibiting pathways

Conditioned pain modulation will be measured. This gives an idea of the (dys)function of the endogenous pain inhibiting system. A noxious conditioning heat stimulus will be given at the tibial anterior muscle. A test heat or pressure stimulus will be given at the temporalis muscle. The pain-inhibits-pain paradigm will be tested.

Time frame: Baseline

Central Contacts

Jessica Van Oosterwijck, Prof

CONTACT

+32 9 332 69 19 jessica.vanoosterwijck@ugent.be

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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