The Effect of Specific Strength-Training on Tension-Type Headache in Children 9-17 Years

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims at examining muscle strength capacity in neck and shoulder muscles in children and adolescents with and without tension-type headache, and furthermore examining the effect of a 10 week specific strength training programme for neck and shoulder muscles compared to a multi-disciplinary approach in 10 weeks.

Detailed Description
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Frequent and chronic tension type headache are the most frequent pain illnesses in children with a prevalence of 0.5-7,6%. Frequent or daily headache leads to constraints in the child's life in relation to school and social activities. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not yet fully examined. In several studies in adults and in children it is found that the shoulder muscles are tense and tender, but it is not known whether this phenomenon is primary or secondary to tension-type headache. A decrease in muscle capacity is furthermore found in studies. We therefore aim at examining parameters for muscle function in order to compare the differences between children with and without headache, and at examining the effect of a 10 week progressive specific strength training programme on headache compared to an in time comparable multidisciplinary intervention based on lifestyle counseling.

Official Title
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Strength Capacity of Neck and Shoulder Muscles in Children and Adolescents 9-17 Years With Tension Type Headache and the Effect of Specific Strength-Training on Tension-Type Headache

Conditions
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Tension-Type Headache

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Specific Strength Training
* Behavioral: Lifestyle Counseling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: primary tension-type headache with no more than one episode of migraine pr. month Exclusion Criteria: post-trauma headache co-morbidity

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 9 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Specific Strength Training<br>10 weeks of specific strength training of neck and shoulder muscles using elastic resistance. | Device: Specific Strength Training<br>* 10 weeks of progressive specific strength training for neck and shoulder muscles.<br>* Other names: A;|
| Active Comparator: Lifestyle Counseling<br>10 weeks of counseling by nurse and physiotherapist in lifestyle changes. | Behavioral: Lifestyle Counseling<br>* 10 weeks of counseling by nurse and physiotherapist in lifestyle changes.<br>* Other names: B;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Headache | Number of headache days/ 4 weeks. Mean VAS Score (pain)/4 weeks. | At baseline | 
| Muscle Capacity | Neck and shoulder muscle function variables: MVC(maximal voluntary static capacity). RFD(rate of force development). FS (Force-steadiness). | At baseline | 
| Headache | Number of headache days/ 4 weeks. Mean VAS Score (pain)/4 weeks. | After the 10 weeks intervention programme | 
| Headache | Number of headache days/ 4 weeks. Mean VAS Score (pain)/4 weeks. | At 3 months follow up. | 
| Muscle Capacity | Neck and shoulder muscle function variables: MVC(maximal voluntary static capacity). RFD(rate of force development). FS(Force-steadiness). | After the 10 weeks intervention programme | 
| Muscle Capacity | Neck and shoulder muscle function variables: MVC(maximal voluntary static capacity). RFD(rate of force development). FS(Force-steadiness). | At 3 months follow up. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TTS | Total Tenderness Score ( palpation of percranial tenderness). | At baseline | 
| Physical fitness | Submaximal ergometer bicycle test | At baseline | 
| TTS | Total Tenderness Score ( palpation of pericranial tenderness). | After the 10 weeks intervention programme | 
| TTS | Total Tenderness Score ( palpation of pericranial tenderness). | At 3 months follow up. | 
| Physical fitness | Submaximal ergometer bicycle test | After the 10 weeks intervention programme | 
| Physical fitness | Submaximal ergometer bicycle test | At 3 months follow up. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Tension-Type Headache, Strength Capacity, Neck and Shoulder