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The Effect of Muscle Energy Technique on Headache, Upper Cervical Rotation and Deep Upper Cervical Muscle Thickness in Cervicogenic Headache (Randomized Clinical Trial)

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

1 Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a disabling condition associated with musculoskeletal impairment of the cervical region. There is limited evidence for the efficacy of muscle energy technique (MET) on CGH.
Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effect of MET on CGH patients.
Methods: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled study, thirty subjects with CGH aged 18 - 55years were randomly assigned into two groups, intervention group (MET in cervical muscles + infrared (IR) radiation) and control group (IR). Both groups received these interventions for 6 sessions, 3 times a week for two weeks. Outcome measures included headache index, upper cervical rotation range of motion (ROM), and deep upper cervical muscles thickness.
Results: In the intragroup analysis, the headache index and upper cervical rotation ROM were significantly different in the two groups (P < 0.05), but in the intergroup analysis, only left upper cervical rotation ROM was significantly different (P < 0.05). Additionally, all muscles thickness had no significant difference in intragroup and intergroup analyses (P > 0.05). The effect size was large in the MET group than that in the control group for ROM and headache index (d > 0.7), but this was less than medium for muscle thickness in the two groups (d < 0.5).
Conclusions: MET + IR is a suitable and durable approach for CGH treatment and increase of upper cervical rotation ROM rather than IR alone, but this approach cannot change the muscles thickness significantly in 2 weeks.

Keywords

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Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (IRCMJ)
Volume 22, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
2020
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History
  • Receive Date: 28 November 2020
  • Revise Date: 30 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 27 January 2024
  • First Publish Date: 27 January 2024
  • Publish Date: 01 April 2020
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