SCM Muscle Released in Patients with Cervicogenic Headache

Last updated: February 10, 2025
Sponsor: Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Neck Pain

Pain

Pain (Pediatric)

Treatment

trigger point pressure

neck exercises

Clinical Study ID

NCT06733896
Cervicogenic Headache
  • Ages 25-50
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Sternocleidomastoid syndrome is often characterized by referred pain in other areas. Like all muscles, the SCM can develop tight, and non-contracting bands called trigger points that can refer pain elsewhere. For the SCM, the trigger point referral areas are the eye and forehead, the back of the head (occiput), front of the neck, cheek, and side of the head. Trigger points can be treated by direct manual massage, dry needling, or platelet-poor plasma injection.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • History of CGH ≥ 3 months at Baseline 1, ≥5 days of CGH per month

  • CGH intensity ≥3 (0-10 scale)

  • Cervical spine dysfunction (cervical joint tenderness and/or restricted segmentalmotion)

  • Clear temporal sequence linking the source of CGH to the neck: headache preceded byneck pain, stiffness, movement and/or awkward postures

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Other headaches within one year of enrollment (e.g. migraine occurring on >1 day permonth in the last year, medication overuse, daily, cluster, temporomandibular jointdysfunction related headaches, sinus, posttraumatic, tumor and glaucoma related,occipital neuralgia, metabolic/toxic/substance abuse related).

  • Spinal manipulative therapy, massage or exercise therapy for neck pain or headachesin the previous 3 months. Any other types of care by a licensed provider in theprevious month for headaches or neck pain

  • Contraindications to study treatments (e.g., inflammatory arthropathies, cervicalinstability, severe osteoporosis, vertigo, dizziness)

  • Daily prescription or nonprescription pain medication; corticosteroid use inprevious month

  • Cancer in the past five years

  • ear problem

Study Design

Total Participants: 52
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: trigger point pressure
Phase:
Study Start date:
January 01, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
February 10, 2025

Study Description

Cervicogenic headache is a specific type of headache that originates from the cervical spine and is typically chronic in nature. Diagnostic criteria for CGH have been established by the International Headache Society (IHS) and are cited extensively in the literature. Diagnosis of CGH through manual examination is a more recent practice. To our knowledge, no systematic review of manual diagnosis of CGH has been performed.

Connect with a study center

  • Umm Al Qura University

    Makka,
    Saudi Arabia

    Site Not Available

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