Clinical evaluation of cervicogenic headache: a clinical perspective.
Toby Hall, Kathy Briffa, Diana Hopper
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19119390Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 13Years - 19Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID07354776
A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of Isometric Neck Exercises and Postural Advice on Cervicogenic Headache Symptoms, Serum Cortisol, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Adolescents With Smartphone Addiction
Led by Khyber Medical University Peshawar · Updated on 2026-02-19
44
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
21 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
K
Khyber Medical University Peshawar
Lead Sponsor
T
The Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a type of headache caused by pain referred from the neck to the head, often affecting daily activities like neck movement, sleep quality, and mood. This condition is more common in females and is linked to smartphone addiction (SPA), which worsens posture and stress. The study focuses on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cortisol as key markers related to pain and stress, aiming to explore how targeted neck exercises can improve these factors and relieve CGH symptoms in adolescents with SPA. Researchers are evaluating a one-month isometric neck exercise program combined with posture education versus basic posture advice alone. The intervention includes supervised twice-weekly sessions and daily home exercises such as chin tucks, isometric neck contractions, head protrusion, wall push-ups, shoulder shrugs, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is also used for pain relief. The control group receives only posture advice without structured exercises. Participants aged 13 to 19 with CGH and smartphone addiction will be assessed through questionnaires measuring neck disability, headache impact, and sleep quality, along with blood tests for BDNF and cortisol levels at baseline and after one month. Adherence to exercises is encouraged via app reminders and weekly check-ins. The study aims to see if the exercise program reduces headache symptoms, modulates stress and pain biomarkers, and improves overall function and sleep quality.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Isometric Neck Exercises on Cervicogenic Headache, Cortisol, and BDNF in Adolescents With Smartphone Addiction
Who Can Participate
Age: 13Years - 19Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adolescents aged 13 to 19 years
- Smartphone addiction, defined as using a smartphone for 64 hours per day
- Confirmed diagnosis of cervicogenic headache by a positive Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test performed by a physical therapist
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of other primary headache disorders such as migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache
- Presence of fever, cranial tumors, meningitis, or subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Known carotid or vertebral artery dysfunction
- Significant use of other screened devices like tablets or laptops that may affect results
- History of prior neck injuries or cervical fractures
- Any medical condition that makes moderate exercise unsafe
- Presence of photophobia or phonophobia
- Current drug addiction
- Severe uncorrectable vision problems with Snellen chart score worse than 20/200 in either eye
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - 1 month
Participants complete a one-month program of supervised and home-based isometric neck exercises combined with posture advice, or receive posture advice only.
Twice weekly supervised sessions and daily home exercises for intervention group; posture advice only for control group
Follow-up
Duration - 1 day
Participants have assessments at 1 month post-intervention to evaluate changes in headache symptoms, stress biomarkers, and sleep quality.
1 follow-up visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS), Khyber Medical University
Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan, 25100
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
M
Misbah Ali Syed, Mphil
M
Mohsin Shah, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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