Effects of Electroacupuncture and Myofascial Release on Headache
NCT ID: NCT04091100
Last Updated: 2021-02-21
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
19 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2019-08-05
2019-10-22
Brief Summary
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The treatment of TTH involve both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. It is known that the pharmacological treatment of TTH has a limited effect. However, previous studies have shown that physical therapy programs that include methods such as acupuncture, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), exercise, biofeedback, manipulation, cryotherapy, massage, strengthening of the neck muscles, stretching exercises are effective in alleviating TTH.
It has been observed that the trigger points in muscles play a role in TTH. Trigger points are generally defined as hyper-irritable points inside taut bands. It has been demonstrated that myofascial release, which is applied to the trigger points and is effective in relaxation treatments through stimulation of the neuromuscular system, relieves headaches via muscle relaxation. Electroacupuncture is another method used in relieving myofascial pain origin that involves the application of acupuncture needles to particular points and delivery of an electrical current at a specific frequency. The stimulation of muscle and skin tissues in affected areas is carried out by means of needles and the electrical current relieves pain and muscle spasms. In a meta-analysis study, it was found that electroacupuncture had a higher pain-relieving effect. However, a review of related studies deemed them to be lacking because the assessments were too limited to make it possible to unequivocally state that electroacupuncture has a high level of therapeutic efficacy.
The studies performed, however, did not examine the efficacy of electroacupuncture and myofascial release on TTH. Given that situation, the purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture and myofascial release applied to points of tension in the neck muscles and trigger points of people suffering from TTH in terms of the headache intensity and frequency, neck functions, sleep quality and depression status.
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Detailed Description
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Evaluation Methods A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate pain levels of the participants, CROM (Cervical Range of Motion) to evaluate neck ROM, Beck's Depression Inventory to evaluate depression status, Neck Pain Disability Scale to evaluate to evaluate the effect of their neck pain on the activities of the daily living Headache Diary to evaluate clinical features of the headache
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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electroacupuncture
The individuals in the electroacupuncture group were administered the therapy by a certified acupuncturist. Two Shenlong acupuncture needles were inserted in each of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles at intervals of 0-3 mm and clips were attached to their ends. Afterwards, an electrical current of 2 mA and 60 Hz was administered using the Enraf Nonius Sonoplus 492 (OPTOMED) device for 20 minutes.
Electroacupuncture
An electrical current of 2 mA and 60 Hz was administered using the Enraf Nonius Sonoplus 492 (OPTOMED) device for 20 minutes. All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.
myofascial release
Firstly, longitudinal stretching was done with forearm to the muscles in the person's neck in order to relax. Afterwards, the researcher placed one hand under the person's head and placed their fingertips on the muscles under the occipital bone in the neck area. The researcher applied lateral flexion to the neck with one hand while placing the other hand on the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles and then stretched the muscles with friction massage. After this step, the participant's neck was guided back into a neutral position and the pinching technique was applied to the muscles. During the administration of therapies, the trigger points on muscles were identified and friction was applied to these sites until a loosening could be felt. The myofascial release sessions concluded with the administration of the friction massage technique once again to the muscles.
Myofascial Release
longitudinal stretching, friction massage and pinching technique, All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.
Interventions
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Electroacupuncture
An electrical current of 2 mA and 60 Hz was administered using the Enraf Nonius Sonoplus 492 (OPTOMED) device for 20 minutes. All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.
Myofascial Release
longitudinal stretching, friction massage and pinching technique, All the treatments were performed for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Both groups were given a home program involving neck stretching and posture exercises. The exercises were to be performed at least two times a day in two sets of fifteen repetitions.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* aged 18 years or older
* Accepting voluntary participation in the study
Exclusion Criteria
* Heart disease
* Pacemaker,
* Patients with a history of stroke
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Bahçeşehir University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Leyla Ataş Balcı
Assist. Prof
Principal Investigators
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Leyla ATAŞ BALCI
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Bahçeşehir University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Locations
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Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)
Countries
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References
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Chowdhury D. Tension type headache. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2012 Aug;15(Suppl 1):S83-8. doi: 10.4103/0972-2327.100023.
Karadaş, Ö. (2013) Gerilim Tipi Baş Ağrısı: Kronik Tip Değerlendirmesi, J Clin Anal Med, 4 (6), 522-6
Madsen BK, Sogaard K, Andersen LL, Skotte J, Tornoe B, Jensen RH. Neck/shoulder function in tension-type headache patients and the effect of strength training. J Pain Res. 2018 Feb 23;11:445-454. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S146050. eCollection 2018.
Bendtsen L. Drug and Nondrug Treatment in Tension-type Headache. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2009 May;2(3):155-61. doi: 10.1177/1756285609102328.
Barbanti P, Egeo G, Aurilia C, Fofi L. Treatment of tension-type headache: from old myths to modern concepts. Neurol Sci. 2014 May;35 Suppl 1:17-21. doi: 10.1007/s10072-014-1735-3.
Georgoudis G, Felah B, Nikolaidis PT, Papandreou M, Mitsiokappa E, Mavrogenis AF, Rosemann T, Knechtle B. The effect of physiotherapy and acupuncture on psychocognitive, somatic, quality of life, and disability characteristics in TTH patients. J Pain Res. 2018 Oct 23;11:2527-2535. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S178110. eCollection 2018.
Alonso-Blanco C, de-la-Llave-Rincon AI, Fernandez-de-las-Penas C. Muscle trigger point therapy in tension-type headache. Expert Rev Neurother. 2012 Mar;12(3):315-22. doi: 10.1586/ern.11.138.
McKenney K, Elder AS, Elder C, Hutchins A. Myofascial release as a treatment for orthopaedic conditions: a systematic review. J Athl Train. 2013 Jul-Aug;48(4):522-7. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-48.3.17. Epub 2013 Apr 3.
Ulett GA, Han S, Han JS. Electroacupuncture: mechanisms and clinical application. Biol Psychiatry. 1998 Jul 15;44(2):129-38. doi: 10.1016/s0006-3223(97)00394-6.
Wu, B., Zhan, G., Lin, Lian, Q. (2017), Electroacupuncture for treatment of cervicogenic headache: A meta-analysis. Transl Perioper & Pain Med, 2 (2).
Wewers ME, Lowe NK. A critical review of visual analogue scales in the measurement of clinical phenomena. Res Nurs Health. 1990 Aug;13(4):227-36. doi: 10.1002/nur.4770130405.
Cheng LL, Ding MX, Xiong C, Zhou MY, Qiu ZY, Wang Q. Effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on the release profile of endogenous opioid peptides in the central nerve system of goats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:476457. doi: 10.1155/2012/476457. Epub 2012 Oct 24.
Ajimsha MS. Effectiveness of direct vs indirect technique myofascial release in the management of tension-type headache. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2011 Oct;15(4):431-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2011.01.021. Epub 2011 Feb 11.
Melchart D, Streng A, Hoppe A, Brinkhaus B, Witt C, Wagenpfeil S, Pfaffenrath V, Hammes M, Hummelsberger J, Irnich D, Weidenhammer W, Willich SN, Linde K. Acupuncture in patients with tension-type headache: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2005 Aug 13;331(7513):376-82. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38512.405440.8F. Epub 2005 Jul 29.
Doraisamy, M. A., Kumar, C. P., & Gnanamuthu, C. (2010). Chronic tension type headache and the impact of myofascial trigger point release in the short term relief of headache. Global Journal of Health Science, 2(2), 238
Other Identifiers
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LAB2
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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