Neck-shoulder region training for chronic headache in women: a randomized controlled trial

Key Points

1. Prescribing 6 months of progressive neck specific exercises had minimal effect on chronic headache.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Headaches cause considerable disability with 52% of the world population suffering from various types of headaches. Headaches due to neck pain and sore muscles in the neck–shoulder region are commonly diagnosed as tension-type or cervicogenic headaches. To manage chronic cervicogenic headache, tension-type headache and migraine, a variety of physiotherapeutic and exercise rehabilitation treatments have been recommended.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a specific progressive therapeutic exercise program for the neck–shoulder region is effective in reducing the intensity, frequency, and duration of headache in comparison to the control group receiving a placebo dose of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Headaches due to neck pain and sore muscles in the neck–shoulder region are commonly diagnosed as tension-type or cervicogenic headaches.

Aerobic exercise can improve headache intensity, frequency and duration of headache and quality of life.

METHODS

To be included in the study female participants were to report at least 8 days per month of headache of at least 4/10 on a visual analogue scale and score 56 or more on the headache impact test. The primary

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