This study will be carried out to evaluate the effect of laser acupuncture on tension headache in post-pubertal females.
The post-pubertal period significantly associated in increasing an adolescent female's risk of primary headache. Menses is a trigger for headache for 38% to 45% of women with tension-type headache (TTH), implying some link between TTH and sex hormones. Post pubertal modifications in certain brain areas, specifically the hypothalamus, were thought to act as major modulators of this risk. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a novel, noninvasive, and cost-effective approach in the field of physiotherapy. Because of its unique properties, low-power laser irradiation can alter cellular metabolism (bio-stimulating effect), reduce pain (analgesic effect), improve the wound healing procedure (regenerative/reparative effect), reduce edema, and accelerate the inflammation process (anti-inflammatory effect). LLLT has been employed as a treatment modality for a variety of conditions in medicine and dentistry including musculoskeletal pain syndrome, soft tissue injuries and ulcerations, dentin hypersensitivity, and attenuating the complications of surgical procedures. Needle acupuncture is a treatment modality based on traditional Chinese medicine, in which small needles made from stainless steel are inserted into special points of the body to improve health or reduce pain in other parts of the body. Despite its proven effects in curing numerous diseases, acupuncture is associated with some disadvantages that reduce its acceptability and popularity among patients, such as aggressive nature of needle insertion and difficult application in some parts of the body such as points around the perineum or genitals. Recently, laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) has been proposed as an alternative to conventional acupuncture therapy to eliminate the need for needle insertion. In this way, low-intensity laser light is employed for stimulating the traditional acupuncture points, and so the procedure is simple, non-aggressive, painless, and inherently safer than needle acupuncture therapy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
The experimental group will receive low-energy laser acupuncture therapy. The laser will deliver 1.3 joules (approximately 13 joules per square centimeter) per point at 100 percent output in continuous mode, applied with vertical contact and slight pressure for 40 seconds per point. Four acupuncture points will be treated bilaterally according to published protocols: Gallbladder 14 and Gallbladder 20 as local head points, and Large Intestine 4 and Lung 7 as distal points on the hand and forearm. Both therapist and patient will wear protective goggles during treatment for safety.
All participant in both groups will receive myofascial release technique for 6 weeks. Soft tissue and trigger point release techniques will be applied on the muscles/fascia reproducing the patient's symptoms (the occipitalis, suboccipitalis, splenius, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius). Various myofascial techniques will employed such as effleurage, deep friction massage, ischemic compression and muscle energy techniques.
Secondary schools
Cairo, Egypt
Assessment of pain intensity
It will be assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst possible pain).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Assessment of trigger point threshold
It will be assessed using pressure pain algometer to detect and confirm the site and sensitivity of trigger points by determining the pressure pain threshold (PPT) using a pressure gauge probe.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Assessment of headache severity
It will be will be assessed using the Headache Disability Index (HDI), a 25-item self-report questionnaire that measures the impact of tension-type headache on daily life. It comprises 12 functional items and 13 emotional items, yielding a total score from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. This tool allows evaluation of treatment effects on both functional performance and emotional well-being.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Cervical Flexion Range of Motion
Cervical flexion will be assessed using a Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device. Participants will be instructed to bend the head forward maximally while maintaining a seated upright posture. The angle achieved, measured in degrees, will be recorded to quantify sagittal plane flexion mobility of the cervical spine.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Cervical Extension Range of Motion:
Cervical extension will be measured using the CROM device. Participants will be asked to extend the head backward to the maximum comfortable range. The degree of extension will be recorded to evaluate posterior sagittal plane cervical mobility.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Right Cervical Lateral Flexion Range of Motion:
Soheir Mahmoud El-Kosery, PhD
CONTACT
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Right side bending of the cervical spine will be measured using the CROM device. Participants will tilt the head toward the right shoulder without trunk compensation. The achieved angle in degrees will be documented to assess right frontal plane mobility.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Left Cervical Lateral Flexion Range of Motion:
Left side bending will be evaluated using the CROM device. Participants will tilt the head toward the left shoulder while maintaining neutral trunk alignment. The measured angle in degrees will represent left frontal plane cervical mobility.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Right Cervical Rotation Range of Motion:
Right cervical rotation will be assessed using the CROM device. Participants will rotate the head to the right as far as comfortably possible. The angle measured in degrees will reflect right transverse plane mobility.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Left Cervical Rotation Range of Motion:
Left cervical rotation will be measured using the CROM device. Participants will rotate the head to the left to the maximum comfortable limit. The recorded angle in degrees will represent left transverse plane cervical mobility.
Time frame: 6 weeks