NCT06703385

Suboccipital Release Versus Instrument- Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Tension Type Headache

Effect of Suboccipital Release Versus Instrument- Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Tension Type Headache

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The study aims to explore the impact of suboccipital release versus instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, headache impact test, and headache frequency in patients with tension headache. The research will also examine the effects of these methods on headache impact tests and frequency.

Detailed description

Headache prevalence ranges from 38.2 to 59.4%, with a lifetime prevalence of 26.1-45%. Tension Type Headache can be episodic or chronic, with 78% occurring less than 15 times/month and 6% occurring more than 15 times/month. Tension Type Headache has a greater socioeconomic burden, leading to lower productivity and workday loss. Tension Type Headache is linked to myofascial pain and trigger points, which can cause sensory changes and reduced pain threshold. Studies show that referred pain from myofascial trigger points reproduces headache in patients with , leading to increased symptom severity. Frequent Episodic tension type headache increases the risk of developing chronic tension type headache due to analgesic overuse. instrumental assisted soft tissue mobilization, a physical therapy technique, promotes fascia realignment and reduces strain on the clinician's hands.

Conditions

• Suboccipital Release
• Instrumental Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Tension-Type Headache

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Instrument Assisted soft tissue mobilization	The blade is a surgical instrument for soft tissue mobilization, made of 100% surgical stainless steel with 8 treatment planes and 2 treatment edges. It is used to locate muscle limitations and apply gentle strokes along the affected muscle, detecting changes in soft tissue consistency. The procedure is repeated three times a week for four weeks.
OTHER	Suboccipital release	The patient will lie in a relaxed supine position, with a therapist sitting on a chair. The therapist will apply pressure to the C2 area, holding it until a melting sensation is felt. The intervention time is 4 minutes. The patient will close both eyes during the Suboccipital release procedure to prevent eye movements affecting muscle tone. Interventions will be three times a week for four weeks.
OTHER	conventional physical therapy program	The patient is placed in a sitting position and a hot pack is applied to the back of the neck for 15 minutes. The therapist then performs active range of motion exercises for neck flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion without resistance. They also perform stretching exercises for upper Trapezius muscle and suboccipital muscle. Strengthening exercises for neck muscles are performed through isometric exercises, such as side pending to right, side pending to left, extension, and flexion. The interventions are conducted three times, peer-wise, for four weeks. The treatment aims to improve neck flexibility and overall well-being.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-12-01
• Primary completion: 2025-03-01
• Completion: 2025-04-01
• First posted: 2024-11-25
• Last updated: 2024-11-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt