NCT06502951

Manipulation and Dry Needling in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache and WAD II

Upper Cervical Spine Manipulation and Dry Needling Versus Conventional Physical Therapy in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache and Type II Whiplash Associated Disorder: a Multi-center Randomized Clinical Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this research is to compare two different approaches for treating patients with cervicogenic headaches associated with type II whiplash associated disorder: non-thrust mobilization and exercise versus thrust manipulation and dry needling. Physical therapists commonly use all of these techniques to treat cervicogenic headaches. This study is attempting to find out if one treatment strategy is more effective than the other.

Detailed description

Patients with cervicogenic headaches and type II whiplash associated disorder will be randomized to receive 1-2 treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks (up to 8 sessions total) of either: (1) dry needling and upper cervical high-velocity low-amplitude thrust manipulation, or (2) exercise and non-thrust mobilization.

Conditions

• Cervicogenic Headache
• Whiplash Injuries

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Dry Needling,Thrust Manipulation	HVLA thrust manipulation to upper cervical and upper thoracic regions. Dry needling to cervicothoracic and craniofacial regions. Up to 8 treatment sessions over 4 weeks.
OTHER	Exercise,Non-thrust Mobilization	Non-thrust mobilization and exercise to upper cervical and upper thoracic regions. Up to 8 treatment sessions over 4 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-07-20
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-05-01
• First posted: 2024-07-16
• Last updated: 2025-05-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States