Actively Recruiting
HVLAT, Electric DN, Exercise Vs. Mobilization, STM, Exercise, TENS for Tension Type Headaches
Led by Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture · Updated on 2025-05-18
110
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
286 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
A
Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture
Lead Sponsor
U
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this research is to compare two different approaches for treating patients with tension-type headaches: thrust Manipulation, electric dry Needling and exercise Vs. non-thrust mobilization, soft-tissue mobilization, exercise and TENS. Physical therapists commonly use all of these techniques to treat tension-type headaches. This study is attempting to find out if one treatment strategy is more effective than the other.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
HVLAT, Electric DN, Exercise Vs. Mobilization, STM, Exercise, TENS for Tension Type Headaches
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patient must be between 18 and 65 years old
- Frequent Episodic Tension-type Headaches: at least 10 headache episodes on 1-14 days per month on average for over 3 months
- Headaches lasting from 30 minutes to 7 days
- Headaches with at least two of the following: bilateral location, pressing or tightening quality, mild or moderate intensity, not worsened by routine physical activity
- No nausea or vomiting and no more than one of photophobia or phonophobia
- Frequent Episodic Tension-type Headache with pericranial tenderness: episodes fulfilling frequent episodic tension-type headache criteria and increased tenderness on manual palpation
- Chronic Tension-type Headaches: headaches on 15 days per month for over 3 months, lasting hours to days or unremitting
- Chronic headaches with at least two of the following: bilateral location, pressing or tightening quality, mild or moderate intensity, not worsened by routine physical activity
- No more than one of photophobia, phonophobia, or mild nausea, and no moderate or severe nausea or vomiting
- Chronic Tension-type Headache with pericranial tenderness: headaches fulfilling chronic tension-type criteria and increased tenderness on manual palpation
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of other primary or secondary headaches
- Medication Overuse Headache defined by headache on 15 days per month with overuse of headache medication for more than 3 months
- History of head or neck trauma including whiplash
- History of cervical stenosis
- Presence of atherosclerotic risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, smoking, high cholesterol, or lipid disorders
- Red flags found in neck medical screening (tumors, fractures, metabolic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, prolonged steroid use)
- Bilateral upper extremity symptoms
- Signs of central nervous system involvement such as hyperreflexia, sensory problems in the hand, muscle wasting, unsteady walking, nystagmus, vision loss, facial sensation changes, altered taste, or pathological reflexes
- Two or more neurological signs of nerve root compression including muscle weakness, reduced reflexes, or reduced sensation in upper extremities
- Prior neck or thoracic spine surgery
- Involvement in litigation or worker's compensation related to neck pain or headaches
- Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome
- Received anesthetic blocks or botulinum toxin in the last 6 months
- Received physical treatment in the neck or head in the last 6 months
- Any condition that contraindicates spinal manipulative therapy
- Pregnancy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Maller and Swoverland Orthopedic PT
Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, 46804
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
James Dunning, DPT PhD
CONTACT
R
Raymond Butts, DPT PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here