Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is defined as a headache accompanied by neck pain, caused by a disorder in the cervical spine, bones, discs, or soft tissue elements. This study is designed as a prospective, case-control, hospital-based study. A total of 90 patients aged 18-65 years who have been suffering from CGH for at least three months and who present to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Meram State Hospital between January 2025 and January 2027 will be included in the study. Patients will be informed about the procedures, and informed consent will be obtained. The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. A detailed medical history will be taken from all participants, and a comprehensive physical examination will be performed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, height, weight, education level, employment status, and income level will be recorded. The 90 CGH patients will be divided into three groups.Group 1 (n=30) will receive myofascial release therapy + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. Group 2 (n=30) will receive Kinesio taping + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. Group 3 (n=30) will receive only a home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. All evaluations will be conducted by the same researcher at three time points: before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment (week 4), and one month after the completion of treatment (week 8).The aim of this prospective clinical study is to compare the effectiveness of Kinesio taping and myofascial release therapy in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.
This randomized, parallel-group clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping and myofascial release therapy in patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache. The study is based on the hypothesis that both interventions can reduce pain intensity and functional disability, but their relative efficacy remains unclear. The trial is designed to provide clinical evidence to guide physiotherapeutic management of cervicogenic headache.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
81
myofascial release therapy combined with a home exercise program: Myofascial release techniques will be applied manually to the cervical and upper trapezius regions by a trained physiotherapist. The intervention will be administered three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. In addition, participants will follow a standardized home exercise program designed to improve cervical mobility and reduce muscle tension.
kinesiology taping combined with a home exercise program : Kinesiology tape will be applied to the cervical region following a standardized taping protocol. The taping will be performed by a trained physiotherapist three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. The tape will remain on the skin for 3-5 days per application.
Home exercise program: The exercise program includes cervical mobility exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises aimed at improving posture and reducing muscle tension. The intervention will be performed three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions.
Meram State Hospital
Konya, Meram, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Cervicogenic Headache Severity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks
Headache severity will be assessed using a 10 cm horizontal Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst possible pain." Participants will mark the level of their current headache severity on the scale. Changes will be calculated from baseline to week 4 and week 8.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4 (end of treatment), and Week 8 (1-month follow-up after treatment)
Change in Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) Score at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks
The HIT-6 is a six-item questionnaire evaluating the impact of headache on daily activities, scored from 36 to 78. Higher scores indicate greater impact.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in Headache Disability Index (HDI) Score at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks
The HDI is a 25-item questionnaire assessing the emotional and functional impact of headaches. The total score is used to evaluate disability level.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in Quality of Life Measured by Short Form-12 (SF-12) at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks
SF-12 evaluates general health and quality of life across physical and mental domains. Scores are calculated per standard algorithm.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in Headache Frequency (Number of Headache Days per Month) at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks
Headache frequency will be recorded using a headache diary. The number of days with headache in the past 4 weeks will be used for assessment.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
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