Additional effects of pain neuroscience education combined with physiotherapy on the headache frequency of adult patients with migraine: A randomized controlled trial

Effects of neck-exercise and health promotion on headache outcomes in office workers: secondary analysis of the NEXpro stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Headache conditions have a high prevalence worldwide. Office workers with high and demanding workload, but low physical activity levels are considered vulnerable for suffering from headache. This analysis examines whether exercise combined with health promotion at the workplace is effective for headache relief in office workers.

METHODS

This study reports the results of secondary outcomes of a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. Office workers (n = 120) were randomly assigned to a twelve-week supervised intervention period, consisting of neck and shoulder girdle exercises with health promotion interventions performed at the workplace. Secondary outcomes were analysed and modelled for headache occurrence, frequency, and the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), accounting for possible effects for the intervention, the period it had been introduced, and interactional and nested effects.

RESULTS

At baseline, 88 of the 120 participants reported ≥ one headache episode in the past four weeks, with a mean headache frequency of 3.58 days for that period. The mean HIT-6 score for the entire cohort amounted to 53.6 points. For headache occurrence and HIT-6, the simplest model with the intervention only, showed the best statistical fit with an odds ratio for headache occurrence of 0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.25 to 0.84), and - 2.23 (95% confidence interval: -3.35 to -1.12) points on the HIT-6 questionnaire. For headache frequency, the model accounting for interaction effects (intervention x period) had the best statistical fit and showed an incidence rate ratio of 0.57 (95% confidence interval: 0.44 to 0.74) for the first period, but not for later ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Neck exercises and health promotion had a positive impact on headache occurrence, headache frequency and HIT-6, with the latter not reaching clinical importance. Although only statistically significant for headache frequency, larger effects were found during earlier periods or shorter interventional exposure for all outcomes, necessitating refresher sessions at later periods.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04169646.

What is the Status Quo of Patient-Centred Physiotherapy Management of People with Headache within a Biopsychosocial Model? - A Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patient-centred care (PCC) is deemed essential in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain. Integrating such care within a biopsychosocial framework, enables to address all facets of the individual pain experience, and to manage the individual instead of the condition. This narrative review describes the status quo of PCC physiotherapy management of people with headache within a biopsychosocial model. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus were searched (update 07.05.2024). The search-query comprised terminology relating to "headache", "patient-centred", "biopsychosocial", "physiotherapy". Additional eligibility criteria were reviews, trials, cohort, case report, case-control studies in English, Dutch, French.

RECENT FINDINGS

Gaps are exposed in patient-centred physiotherapy management of migraine, tension-type headache, and cervicogenic headache. While a biopsychosocial approach is advised to manage migraine and tension-type headache, its use in clinical practice is not reflected by the literature. A biopsychosocial approach is not advised in cervicogenic headache. Psychosocial-lifestyle interventions are mainly delivered by health-care providers other than physiotherapists. Additionally, psychologically-informed practice is barely introduced in physiotherapy headache management. Though, managing the social context within a biopsychosocial framework is advised, the implementation by physiotherapists is unclear. Comparable conclusions apply to PCC. PCC is recommended for the physiotherapy management of primary and secondary headache. Such recommendation remains however theoretical, not reaching clinical implementation. Yet, a shift from the traditional disease-centred model of care towards PCC is ongoing and should be continued in physiotherapy management. With this implementation, clinical and economical studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness.

Hallmarks of primary headache: part 1 - migraine

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Migraine is a common disabling conditions which, globally, affects 15.2% of the population. It is the second cause of health loss in terms of years lived with disability, the first among women. Despite being so common, it is poorly recognised and too often undertreated. Specialty centres and neurologists with specific expertise on headache disorders have the knowledge to provide specific care: however, those who do not regularly treat patients with migraine will benefit from a synopsis on the most relevant and updated information about this condition. This paper presents a comprehensive view on the hallmarks of migraine, from genetics and diagnostic markers, up to treatments and societal impact, and reports the elements that identify migraine specific features.

MAIN RESULTS

The most relevant hallmark of migraine is that it has common and individual features together. Besides the known clinical manifestations, migraine presentation is heterogeneous with regard to frequency of attacks, presence of aura, response to therapy, associated comorbidities or other symptoms, which likely reflect migraine heterogeneous genetic and molecular basis. The amount of therapies for acute and for prophylactic treatment is really wide, and one of the difficulties is with finding the best treatment for the single patient. In addition to this, patients carry out different daily life activities, and might show lifestyle habits which are not entirely adequate to manage migraine day by day. Education will be more and more important as a strategy of brain health promotion, because this will enable reducing the amount of subjects needing specialty care, thus leaving it to those who require it in reason of refractory condition or presence of comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognizing the hallmarks of migraine and the features of single patients enables prescribing specific pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Medical research on headaches today particularly suffers from the syndrome of single-disease approach, but it is important to have a cross-sectional and joint vision with other close specialties, in order to treat our patients with a comprehensive approach that a heterogeneous condition like migraine requires.

The effectiveness of aerobic exercise and neck exercises in pediatric migraine treatment: a randomized controlled single-blind study

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a prevalent condition with debilitating effects. In the context of pediatric migraine, there exists a notable scarcity of data regarding the effectiveness of exercise interventions. Furthermore, despite the prevalent occurrence of neck pain in these patients, the role of cervical musculoskeletal disorders in the etiology continues to be a debated topic.

AIMS

This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of aerobic and neck exercises for treatment of pediatric migraine.

METHODS

This randomized, controlled, single-blind trial included 51 pediatric migraine patients. Participants were divided into two groups: one performing aerobic exercise and the other performing neck exercises. Assessments included attack frequency, severity, duration, and neck pain for over 3 months.

RESULTS

Both exercise groups exhibited significant reductions in the attack frequency, severity, and duration. After 3 months, the aerobic exercise group showed a lower attack frequency than the neck exercise group. Subgroup analysis involving patients with neck pain showed similar neck pain reduction but favored the aerobic exercise group for attack frequency and severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Aerobic and neck exercises are effective in reducing the symptoms of pediatric migraine. Aerobic exercise may be particularly beneficial for reducing the attack frequency. These findings contribute to the limited data on exercise interventions for pediatric migraineurs and highlight the importance of tailored exercise programs for managing this condition. Future studies should consider more extensive exercise modalities and include diverse patient cohorts.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT0606875.

Therapeutic Patient Education as Part of the Physiotherapy Management of Adults with Headache: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Physiotherapy interventions for headache mostly include exercise and manual therapy. Yet, the complex nature of headache, sometimes characterized by symptoms of facilitated central pain mechanisms, demands an individualized approach in which therapeutic patient education could be supportive. This scoping review aimed to summarize the position of therapeutic patient education within the physiotherapy management of adults with headache. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched. The search-query comprised terminology relating to "headache", "education", and "physiotherapy". Eligibility criteria were: adults with headache, interventions including education within the domain of physiotherapy, reviews, clinical trials, cohort, case report, case-control studies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Eleven publications were included from the 281 retrieved publications. These publications were clinical trials (n = 4), reviews (n = 4), case-reports (n = 2), and a guideline (n = 1). Type of headaches studied were migraine (n = 3), post-traumatic headache (n = 2), tension-type headache (n = 2), cervicogenic headache (n = 1), primary headaches (n = 1), chronic daily headache (n = 1), and mixed migraine-cervicogenic headache (n = 1). Education seems an umbrella-term for postural education, lifestyle advice, and pain education. Three themes emerged across the publications: handling headache triggers (migraine, post-traumatic headache), promoting active lifestyle (post-traumatic headache, chronic daily headache, migraine), evaluating posture (post-traumatic headache, chronic daily headache, tension-type headache, cervicogenic headache). All publications recommended education in the management of headache. Only one (of the 11 included) publication described the educational program and determined its efficacy. Based on this scoping review, therapeutic patient education seems supported within physiotherapy management of headache. However, it is unclear how such education is tailored to the specific needs of the individual, the headache subtype, or when it should be added to physiotherapy management of headache.

Effects of Pain Neuroscience Education and Physiotherapy on Chronic Low Back Pain, Fear of Movement and Functional Status: A Randomised Pilot Study

Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain is a non-harmous condition often found in the general population. It is one of the most significant disabilities and needs different treatment modalities. This study investigates the effects of pain neuroscience education and physiotherapy on pain intensity, fear of movement and functional status in a Lithuanian cohort with non-specific low back pain. Methods: The study was performed at the primary health care unit in Kaunas, Lithuania. The key inclusion criterion was persistent non-specific low back pain longer than three months and which affects daily life functions. Thirty participants (mean 33.47, SD 4.38 years age, 70% women) were randomised into two training groups with and without pain neuroscience education (for a total of 60 min of teaching). Physiotherapy was performed twice per week during 45 min/session for a period of 10 weeks with exercises which strengthen, stabilize, and stretch the spinal cord muscles. Outcomes included pain intensity, kinesiophobia and disability and these were measured by self-scored questionnaires (numeric rating scale, Tampa scale for kinesiophobia-11, Oswestry disability index and the Roland-Morris questionnaire, respectively). Results: The results indicate that both groups improved in the measured outcomes, with the only difference between them being a better improvement in kinesiophobia in the group receiving physiotherapy and pain neuroscience education. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that a relatively short intervention of pain neuroscience education enhances the effects of physiotherapy and should be implemented in clinical practice.

Can upper cervical manual therapy affect the blink reflex in subjects with migraine and neck pain?

BACKGROUND

Neck pain is a common complaint among migraineurs possibly due to the anatomic connections between cervical and trigeminal afferents in the trigeminocervical complex (TCC). Manual therapy (MT) is used in the management of headache disorders, with demonstrable neurophysiological effects. The blink reflex (BR) is one method of analyzing neurophysiological effects in headache patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of upper cervical spine MT on BR in subjects with migraine and neck pain.

METHODS & MATERIALS

Twenty subjects were assigned to a medication plus MT (MedMT) group (n = 10) and medication plus sham MT (sham MT) group (n = 10). After random assignment, all patients underwent testing for the BR (R1, R2, R2c responses). Then, subjects in group MedMT and group sham MT received either 4 sessions of MT or sham MT to the upper cervical spine. After completion of the intervention, BR testing was repeated.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in both side R1 latency between group MT and group sham MT (P > 0.050). For both sides, R2 latencies were significantly prolonged in MedMT group compared with sham MT group (P < 0.050). Subjects in MedMT group showed significant prolongation in right and left R2c latency compared with sham MT group (P < 0.050).

DISCUSSION

The present study demonstrated that upper cervical MT affected trigeminal nociceptive neurotransmission in subjects with migraine and neck pain as reflected by changes in the BR. The increase in BR late response latencies of BR indicates an inhibitory effect of upper cervical spine MT on the TCC in these subjects. Trial Registration: The trial design was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT ID: IRCT20160621028567N2, url: https://www.irct.ir/) before the first patient was enrolled.

Non-Pharmacological Treatment for Chronic Migraine

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic migraine (CM) affects a large proportion of the population and is a significant source of disability and lost productivity. Numerous non-pharmacological approaches have been attempted during the past decades. This review discusses the most recent and evidence-based advances in acute and preventive non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches for CM, offering alternatives to drug treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

A growing number of non-pharmacological treatment options, including non-invasive or invasive neuromodulation, acupuncture, psychotherapy, and physiotherapy, have shown promising efficacy in CM. There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of non-invasive neuromodulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in CM, but less evidence for approaches such as invasive neuromodulation, physical therapy, or dietary approaches. Acupuncture for migraine remains controversial, with the main point of contention still being the placebo effect. Non-pharmacological approaches can be offered as a reliable alternative for patients with CM, and more research is being done to evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive neuromodulation with different parameters and the combination of different treatments in CM.

Manual cervical therapy and vestibular migraine: A case series

Background

Vestibular migraine (VM) is a relatively new diagnostic entity with incomplete knowledge regarding pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic guidelines. By reporting the effect of manual cervical therapy (MCT) on people with VM, we suggest a possible role for upper cervical afferents in VM treatment and/or pathogenesis. The objective was to describe the change in clinical presentation and self-reported symptoms of VM corresponding to MCT and followed up to six months.

Methods

A nonrandomised *ABA design was utilised to consecutively and prospectively evaluate selected patients with diagnosed VM. Symptom characteristics (frequency and intensity) were recorded along with standardised patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to document the response to MCT.

Results

Three patients were recruited who met the diagnostic criteria for VM. All three patients demonstrated improvement in both migraine attack and interictal symptom frequency. These improvements mirrored changes in PROs and were sustained over a six-month follow-up period.

Conclusions

The improvement that coincided with the intervention including MCT was rapid, observable and sustained. This suggests that the upper cervical spine could be a therapeutic target in VM and may have implications for future research into the pathogenesis of VM.

Musculoskeletal dysfunctions and physiotherapy treatment strategies in patients with migraine

BACKGROUND

Neck pain is prevalent in patients with migraine but its role for the physiotherapy management is unclear.

METHOD

In this narrative review, results of studies, contributing to the overall understanding of musculoskeletal dysfunctions in patients with migraine are summarized, as are approaches to subgroup migraine and attempts to improve migraine non-pharmacologically.

RESULTS

Our line of research shows that musculoskeletal dysfunctions are prevalent in patients with migraine. Pain provocation during manual palpation of the upper cervical spine might be relevant when referred pain to the head is elicited. This subgroup of patients might benefit from physiotherapy treatment to the neck. Preliminary data from treatment studies shows that a small reduction of headache and migraine days can be achieved when treating the neck. The reduction in migraine days might be enhanced when treating migraine as a chronic pain disease and adding pain neuroscience education to the neck treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiotherapy assessment and treatment plays a role in the management of migraine. The effectiveness of different physiotherapy approaches and pain neuroscience education needs to be evaluated further in randomized controlled trials.

Cervical musculoskeletal impairments and pain sensitivity in migraine patients

INTRODUCTION

Currently, examination of migraine patients relies on a clinical interview investigating symptoms characteristics. Despite this, to help identify distinct migraine subtypes and allow a personalized treatment approach, biomarkers to profile distinct migraine subtypes should be utilized in clinical and research settings. Therefore, there is a need to include physical and psychophysical examinations aimed at assessing migraine features quantitatively.

PURPOSE

This paper aimed to discuss if increased pressure pain sensitivity and impaired cervical musculoskeletal function could be considered 1) as quantitative features of migraine and 2) if they could be used as biomarkers to profile migraine patients in distinct subtypes.

IMPLICATION

Increased pain sensitivity and cervical musculoskeletal impairments have been suggested as quantitative biomarkers to phenotype and subgroup migraine patients in clinical and research settings. This could provide the first step for a mechanistically-driven and personalized treatment approach according to migraine phenotypes.

Neck pain and headache: Pathophysiology, treatments and future directions

INTRODUCTION

Neck pain is a prevalent neurologic and musculoskeletal complaint in the general population and is often associated with primary headache disorders such as migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). A considerable proportion, ranging from 73% to 90%, of people with migraine or TTH also experience neck pain, and there is a positive correlation between headache frequency and neck pain. Furthermore, neck pain has been identified as a risk factor for migraine and TTH. Although the exact underlying mechanisms linking neck pain to migraine and TTH remain uncertain, pain sensitivity appears to play an important role. People with migraine or TTH exhibit lower pressure pain thresholds and higher total tenderness scores compared with healthy controls.

PURPOSE

This position paper aims to provide an overview of the current evidence on the relationship between neck pain and comorbid migraine or TTH. It will encompass the clinical presentation, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of neck pain in the context of migraine and TTH.

IMPLICATIONS

The relationship between neck pain and comorbid migraine or TTH is incompletely understood. In the absence of robust evidence, the management of neck pain in people with migraine or TTH relies mostly on expert opinion. A multidisciplinary approach is usually preferred, involving pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies. Further research is necessary to fully dissect the linkage between neck pain and comorbid migraine or TTH. This includes the development of validated assessment tools, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, and exploration of genetic, imaging, and biochemical markers that might aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Women with migraine presents similar altered performance in the craniocervical flexion test than women with chronic nonspecific neck pain: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Although patients with migraine show cervical muscle impairments previous studies investigating motor performance have not characterized the sample of patients with migraine according to the presence/absence of neck pain complaints.

OBJECTIVE

To verify if there are differences in the clinical and muscular performance of the superficial neck flexors and extensors during Craniocervical Flexion Test in women with migraine, considering the presence or absence of concomitant symptoms of neck pain.

METHODS

The cranio-cervical flexion test performance was assessed by its clinical stage test and by the surface electromyographic activity of the sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene muscles upper trapezius and splenius capitis. It was assessed in 25 women with migraine without neck pain, 25 women with migraine and neck pain, 25 women with chronic neck pain and 25 pain-free control women.

RESULTS

Poorer performance of the cervical muscles was found during the execution of the cranio-cervical flexion test, in addition to higher muscle activity, especially in the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, and upper trapezius muscles in the neck pain, migraine without neck pain, and migraine with neck pain groups in comparison with the results obtained for healthy women in the control group. No difference was observed between the groups of women experiencing pain. Analysis of the extensor/flexor muscle electromyographic ratio showed that there was no difference between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Poor cervical muscle performance was observed in both women with chronic nonspecific neck pain and women with migraine regardless of the presence of neck pain.

Neck pain repercussions in migraine - The role of physiotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Migraine is a neurological and disabling disease whose peripheral manifestations can be addressed with physiotherapy. These manifestations can include pain and hypersensitivity to muscular and articular palpation in the neck and face region, a higher prevalence of myofascial trigger points, limitation in global cervical motion, especially in the upper segment (C1-C2), and forward head posture with worse muscular performance. Furthermore, patients with migraine can present cervical muscle weakness and greater co-activation of antagonists in maximum and submaximal tasks. In addition to musculoskeletal repercussions, these patients can also present balance impairment and a greater risk of falls, especially when chronicity of migraine frequency is present. The physiotherapist is a relevant player in the interdisciplinary team and can help these patients to control and manage their migraine attacks.

PURPOSE

This position paper discusses the most relevant musculoskeletal repercussions of migraine in the craniocervical area under the perspective of sensitization and disease chronification, besides addressing physiotherapy as an important strategy for evaluating and treating these patients.

IMPLICATIONS

Physiotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment option in migraine treatment may potentially reduce musculoskeletal impairments related to neck pain in this population. Disseminating knowledge about the different types of headaches and the diagnostic criteria can support physiotherapists who compose a specialized interdisciplinary team. Furthermore, it is important to acquire competencies in neck pain assessment and treatment approaches according to the current evidence.