Deep Neck Flexor Exercises Versus Myofascial Release of Suboccipital Muscles in Chronic Tension-type Headache

Summary

According to the study of the burden of diseases in 2018, tension-type headache(TTH) is the most common type of primary headache and ranks third in terms of prevalence among 328 diseases and injuries in 195 countries from 1990 to 2016. Suffering from this disorder (especially chronic type) reduces the quality of life of patients.

The main objective of this study is to compare the effects of myofascial release of suboccipital muscles as a bottom-up intervention and Deep Neck Flexor(DNF) exercises with Pressure Biofeedback Unit(PBU) as a top-down intervention on headache parameters, the intensity of Forward Head Posture(FHP), disability, quality of life, and suboccipital Pressure Pain Threshold(PPT) in patients with chronic tension-type headache with forward head posture.

Conditions

• Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Interventions

OTHER

Suboccipital Myofascial Release(MFR) with sham Deep Neck Flexor(DNF)exercise

The treatment includes Suboccipital MFR in the supine position.The therapist places the supinated forearm on the bed and positions the tips of the middle three fingers inferior to the occiput bone and the head is supported by the thenar eminences.The therapist will develop a line of tension through the suboccipital tissues by supinating the forearms and pulling apart two hands from each other;Then, for the second level in the first position of hands,pressure is applied to the anterior and superior direction.The pressure is held and increased until the therapist feels the decrease of muscle tone.These techniques last 10 minutes. Another intervention in this group is the sham DNF exercise with a Pressure Biofeedback Unit(PBU).Considering that minimum detective change with PBU is 15 mmHg; After placing the airbag of PBU under the occiput bone in the supine position and inflating it to a base pressure of 11 mmHg,the participant will increase the pressure to 12 mmHg by nodding action.

OTHER

Deep Neck Flexor(DNF)exercise with sham Suboccipital Myofascial Release(MFR)

The treatments include the DNF exercise with a PBU. The treatment is performed in the supine position and the airbag is placed under the occiput bone and is inflated to a base pressure of 20 mmHg. The participant will increase and hold the pressure to a special point by nodding action. The exercise is repeated for 3 sets, in each set 2 mm Hg is added to the pressure. The pressure will be increased from 22 to 32 mm Hg during 4-week of treatment, and each goal is held for 10 seconds and repeated 10 times. There will be 5 sec of rest between each repetition and 2 min of rest between each set. Another intervention in this group is sham MFR. The therapist's hands will be placed only inferior to the occipital bone and a superficial touch is applied without any upward or lateral pressure. sham treatment in this group, like the opposite group, lasts 10 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Iran University of Medical Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mobina Ahmadi, MSc student · MSc student

• Mohammadreza Pourahmadi · Professor Assisstant

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-11-01

Primary Completion

2025-12-01

Completion

2026-12-01