Effects of Electroacupuncture and Myofascial Release on Headache

Summary

Tension-type headaches (TTH) last from thirty minutes to seven days, were ranked second among the primary types of headaches. The diagnosis of TTH is made according to the diagnostic criteria of the Second Beta version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. The causes of TTH include the activation of extremely tense peripheric afferent neurons through the head and neck muscles, muscle sensitivity and stress. Additionally, a limited range of motion (ROM) in the neck may also lead to TTH.

The treatment of TTH involve both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. It is known that the pharmacological treatment of TTH has a limited effect. However, previous studies have shown that physical therapy programs that include methods such as acupuncture, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), exercise, biofeedback, manipulation, cryotherapy, massage, strengthening of the neck muscles, stretching exercises are effective in alleviating TTH.

It has been observed that the trigger points in muscles play a role in TTH. Trigger points are generally defined as hyper-irritable points inside taut bands. It has been demonstrated that myofascial release, which is applied to the trigger points and is effective in relaxation treatments through stimulation of the neuromuscular system, relieves headaches via muscle relaxation. Electroacupuncture is another method used in relieving myofascial pain origin that involves the application of acupuncture needles to particular points and delivery of an electrical current at a specific frequency. The stimulation of muscle and skin tissues in affected areas is carried out by means of needles and the electrical current relieves pain and muscle spasms. In a meta-analysis study, it was found that electroacupuncture had a higher pain-relieving effect. However, a review of related studies deemed them to be lacking because the assessments were too limited to make it possible to unequivocally state that electroacupuncture has a high level of therapeutic efficacy.

The studies performed, however, did not examine the efficacy of electroacupuncture and myofascial release on TTH. Given that situation, the purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture and myofascial release applied to points of tension in the neck muscles and trigger points of people suffering from TTH in terms of the headache intensity and frequency, neck functions, sleep quality and depression status.

Conditions

• Tension-Type Headache

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Electroacupuncture

An electrical current of 2 mA and 60 Hz was administered using the Enraf Nonius Sonoplus 492 (OPTOMED) device for 20 minutes. All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.

PROCEDURE

Myofascial Release

longitudinal stretching, friction massage and pinching technique, All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bahçeşehir University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Leyla ATAŞ BALCI · Bahçeşehir University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-08-05

Primary Completion

2019-09-26

Completion

2019-10-22

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations