NCT02455323

The Influence of Manual Therapy in the Quality of Life in Tension-Type Headache

Influence of Spinal Manipulation and Suboccipipital Inhibition as a Complementary Therapy for Tension Headache in Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 76 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Valencia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The present study aims to assess the quality of life of patients suffering from tension-type headache (TTH) treated for 4 weeks with different manual therapy-based techniques. The study design involved a factorial, randomized, double-blind, controlled study

Detailed description

Object: The present study aims to assess the quality of life of patients suffering from tension-type headache (TTH) treated for 4 weeks with different manual therapy-based techniques. Methods: The study design involved a factorial, randomized, double-blind, controlled study of 76 subjects. They were divided into 4 groups: suboccipital inhibitory pressure was applied to the first group; suboccipital spinal manipulation was applied to the second group; a combination of the two treatments was applied to the third group; and the fourth group was a control group. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire (both overall and in its different dimensions) at the beginning and at the end of treatment, and after one month as a follow-up.

Conditions

• Quality of Life

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Suboccipital inhibitory	According to this technique, the suboccipital musculature is palpated until contact is made with the posterior arch of the atlas, and progressive and deep gliding pressure is applied, pushing the atlas anteriorly. The occiput rests on the hands while the atlas is supported by the fingertips. Finger pressure must be maintained for 10 minutes to produce the therapeutic effect of inhibiting the suboccipital soft tissues. The aim is to suppress spasm of the muscles and in general of the suboccipital soft tissues which are responsible for any dysfunctional mobility of the occiput, atlas, or even the axis.
OTHER	Spinal manipulative	This technique is performed along an imaginary vertical line passing through the odontoid process of the axis. No flexion or extension and very little lateroflexion are used. Application is bilateral. First, cephalic decompression is performed lightly, followed by small circumductions. Selective tension is applied to take up tissue slack and create a firm joint barrier. Manipulation is then performed with rotation towards the manipulated side in a helicoidal cranial movement. This technique is designed to correct a generalized dysfunction with the aim of restoring occiput, atlas, and axis joint mobility
OTHER	Combined treatment	Consisted in applying the above two techniques using exactly the same sequence: first the SI technique, and then the SM technique.
OTHER	Control group.	The subjects received no treatment, but attended the same number of sessions, maintaining the resting position for longer than the experimental groups, and underwent the same evaluations (test for arterial compromise, and the three assessments).

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-03-01
• Primary completion: 2013-05-01
• Completion: 2013-12-01
• First posted: 2015-05-27
• Last updated: 2015-05-28

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain