Effectiveness of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Exercises in Patients With Tension-Type Headache

NCT06632808 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Tension-Type Headache
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of deep cervical flexor muscle exercises on pain, spinal posture, and sensory sensitivity in patients with tension-type headaches. Designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial, the study will assess participants' pain levels using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), sensory sensitivity through the Sensory Sensitivity Scale, and spinal posture via a digital inclinometer for objective measurements. This research seeks to determine the effectiveness of these exercises in managing pain, improving spinal posture, and contributing to the enhancement of sensory sensitivity.

Conditions

Tension-Type Headache

Keywords

Tension-type headache; Pain; Posture; sensory sensitivity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  VAS is used to convert some values that cannot be measured numerically into numerical values. Two extreme definitions of the severity of pain are written on both ends of a 10 cm line and the patient is asked to indicate his/her own condition by placing an X mark on the line where he/she deems appropriate.

  Two months

• Sensory Sensitivity Scale

  Sensory Sensitivity Scale: is a tool used to diagnose sensory modulation problems clinically. The Sensory Sensitivity Scale has two parts; the first part asks the person to relate to the intensity of the responses, while the second part asks the person to relate to the frequency of the responses. The scale consists of sensory stimuli including auditory, visual, taste, smell, vestibular (kinesthesia) and somatosensory (proprioceptive and tactile) stimuli except pain.

  Two months

Study Arms (2)

deep cervical flexor muscle exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

deep cervical flexor muscle exercises program

Other: Exercise

Control

NO INTERVENTION

no intervention

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

Deep cervical flexor muscle exercises target the deep neck muscles that play a crucial role in the stabilization of the cervical spine and the maintenance of proper posture. These muscles, particularly the longus colli and longus capitis, are responsible for the correct alignment of the head and neck. The exercises typically involve gentle flexion of the neck (bringing the chin towards the chest) with low-intensity, controlled movements. The goal is to strengthen these muscles, enhance spinal stability, and alleviate symptoms such as tension-type headaches. Additionally, these exercises support postural control and can reduce excessive strain on the neck.

deep cervical flexor muscle exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• being diagnosed with tension-type headache

You may not qualify if:

• whiplash injury,
• significant neck trauma (caused by trauma to the neck, fracture, distortion, or violent attack that have caused the current NP),
• nerve root compression of the cervical spine,
• persistent headache attributed to traumatic injury to the head
• cluster headache,
• trigeminal neuralgia,
• pregnancy,
• breastfeeding,
• severe physical and/or mental illness

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Muş Alparslan University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tension-Type Headache; Pain

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Headache Disorders, Primary; Headache Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 7, 2024
• First Posted: October 9, 2024
• Study Start: November 18, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 24, 2025
• Study Completion: January 31, 2025
• Last Updated: October 9, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-07