The Influence of Manual Therapy in the Quality of Life in Tension-Type Headache
Condition: Quality of Life
MeSH terms: Tension-Type Headache; Headache
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The present study aims to assess the quality of life of patients suffering from tension-type
      headache (TTH) treated for 4 weeks with different manual therapy-based techniques. The study
      design involved a factorial, randomized, double-blind, controlled study
    

Detailed description: 
      Object: The present study aims to assess the quality of life of patients suffering from
      tension-type headache (TTH) treated for 4 weeks with different manual therapy-based
      techniques.

      Methods: The study design involved a factorial, randomized, double-blind, controlled study of
      76 subjects. They were divided into 4 groups: suboccipital inhibitory pressure was applied to
      the first group; suboccipital spinal manipulation was applied to the second group; a
      combination of the two treatments was applied to the third group; and the fourth group was a
      control group. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire (both overall and
      in its different dimensions) at the beginning and at the end of treatment, and after one
      month as a follow-up.
    

Intervention name(s): Suboccipital inhibitory; Spinal manipulative; Combined treatment; Control group.
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): According to this technique, the suboccipital musculature is palpated until contact is made with the posterior arch of the atlas, and progressive and deep gliding pressure is applied, pushing the atlas anteriorly. The occiput rests on the hands while the atlas is supported by the fingertips. Finger pressure must be maintained for 10 minutes to produce the therapeutic effect of inhibiting the suboccipital soft tissues. The aim is to suppress spasm of the muscles and in general of the suboccipital soft tissues which are responsible for any dysfunctional mobility of the occiput, atlas, or even the axis.; This technique is performed along an imaginary vertical line passing through the odontoid process of the axis. No flexion or extension and very little lateroflexion are used. Application is bilateral. First, cephalic decompression is performed lightly, followed by small circumductions. Selective tension is applied to take up tissue slack and create a firm joint barrier. Manipulation is then performed with rotation towards the manipulated side in a helicoidal cranial movement. This technique is designed to correct a generalized dysfunction with the aim of restoring occiput, atlas, and axis joint mobility; Consisted in applying the above two techniques using exactly the same sequence: first the SI technique, and then the SM technique.; The subjects received no treatment, but attended the same number of sessions, maintaining the resting position for longer than the experimental groups, and underwent the same evaluations (test for arterial compromise, and the three assessments).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Efficacy; Tension-type headache; Manual therapy