Effectiveness of a Treatment Involving Soft Tissue Techniques and/or Neural Mobilization Techniques in the Management of the Tension-Type Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Publication date: Available online 10 September 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Alejandro Ferragut-Garcías, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, Cleofás Rodríguez-Blanco, Olga Velasco-Roldán, Daniel Pecos-Martín, Jesús Oliva-Pascual-Vaca, Bartomeu Llabrés-Bennasar, Ángel Oliva-Pascual-Vaca
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a protocol involving soft tissue techniques and/or Neural Mobilization Techniques in the management of patients with Frequent episodic tension-type headache (FETTH) and Chronic tension-type headache (CTTH).DesignRandomized controlled, double blind, placebo control and before-after trial.SettingRehabilitation area of Son Llatzer Hospital and Fisioplanet CentreParticipantsNinety-seven patients (78 women; 19 men) diagnosed with FETTH or CTTH, were randomly assigned to groups A, B, C or D.Interventions(A) placebo superficial massage; (B) soft tissue techniques; (C) neural mobilization; (D) a combination of (B) and (C).Main Outcomes MeasuresThe pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the temporal muscles (PPT1, PPT2) and supraorbital region (PPT3), the frequency (Freq) and maximal intensity (Int) of the pain crisis, and the punctuation using the Hit-6 questionnaire (Hit6) were evaluated. All variables were assessed before, at the end of the treatment and 15 days and 30 days post-intervention.ResultsGroups B, C, and D had an increase of PPT and a reduction of Freq, Int, and Hit-6 in all time-points after the intervention compared to baseline and Group A (p < 0.001 in all cases). Group D had the highest PPT values and the lowest values in Freq and Hit-6 after the intervention.ConclusionsThe application of soft tissue techniques and neural mobilization in FETTH or CTTH patients induces significant changes in pressure pain threshold, the characteristics of the pain crisis, and its impact on daily life activities compared to the application of these techniques as isolated interventions.



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