NCT07373912

Impact of Adding Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization to Mulligan Therapy in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

this study will be conducted to investigate the impact of adding Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization technique to mulligan therapy in patients with cervicogenic headache

Detailed description

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) has seen a notable rise in prevalence in recent years, substantially impairing patients' daily functioning and occupational productivity. Despite its considerable burden, CGH remains frequently underdiagnosed and inadequately managed, often progressing to a chronic state that heightens the risk of work absenteeism and long-term disability and as the most common type of pain disorders, affecting 66% of the global population, represent a major public health concern due to their detrimental impact on quality of life and economic productivity . Epidemiological data indicate that CGH affects 4.1% of the general population, with prevalence escalating to 17.5% among individuals with severe headaches.Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization using Graston (GT®) tool is regarded as one the most advanced and promising methods ,utilizing a specially designed instrument to adress a variety of soft tissue pathologies such as myofascial adhesions , scar tissue restriction , tissue thickenings, ridges, fibrotic nodules, crystalline deposits . this technique works by generating a mobilizing effect ,which contributes to pain reduction ,enhanced range of motion and improved overall function.The Mulligan manual technique is considered one of the most effective forms of manipulations. In contrast to conventional mobilization, which depends entirely on the therapist, Mulligan proposed that applying pressure to the spinous processes while the patient is in a weight-bearing position would cause the facet joints to glide in a coordinated ,parallel direction . simultaneously ,this approach involve the patient's active participation during movemwnt in order to achieve the perfect therapeutic outcomes

Conditions

• Cervicogenic Headache

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	instrumeted assissted soft tissue mobilization and mulligan therapy	the patients will receive IASTM tools over the length of targeted muscles (descending fiber of trapezius, suboccipitalis muscles ) for 5 minutes. also, SNAG technique; Each patient will be asked to sit comfortably, and the treating therapist will stand beside the patient. The patient's head will be free and cradled between the therapist's right forearm and body, and the therapist stand at the patient's right side. The therapist then will place his right index, middle, and ring fingers at the base of the occiput and kept his right little finger over the spinous process of C2. Next, with the lateral border of his left thenar eminence, gentle pressure will be applied in a ventral and upward direction(45 degrees) over the right little finger. finally postural correction execises
OTHER	mulligan therapy	SNAG technique; Each patient will be asked to sit comfortably, and the treating therapist will stand beside the patient. The patient's head will be free and cradled between the therapist's right forearm and body, and the therapist stand at the patient's right side. The therapist then will place his right index, middle, and ring fingers at the base of the occiput and kept his right little finger over the spinous process of C2. Next, with the lateral border of his left thenar eminence, gentle pressure will be applied in a ventral and upward direction(45 degrees) over the right little finger. Finally, postural correction exercises will be addedd
OTHER	postural correction exercises	the exercises will incluse, Stretching exercises for the sternocleidomastoids,the Scalenes,upper fibers of trapezius and strengthening exercises for cervical muscles

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2026-07-01
• Completion: 2026-07-01
• First posted: 2026-01-28
• Last updated: 2026-01-28