Trenque Lauquen

Headaches, including migraines and tension-type headaches, greatly affect people's quality of life. Research suggests that blood pressure control and baroreceptor activity are involved in headache development. An initial open-label pilot study tested carotid sinus massage combined with the modified Trendelenburg position (CSM+T) and showed it to be feasible, safe, and potentially helpful for relieving headaches. Building on these findings, a follow-up randomized, sham-controlled trial will further evaluate the treatment's effectiveness. The study has two phases. The first was a completed pilot phase with 17 participants receiving CSM+T. The next planned phase is a parallel-arm clinical trial with 18 participants randomly assigned to either the CSM+T group, which receives manual carotid sinus stimulation plus head-down tilt, or a sham group receiving light neck contact with the same positioning but no carotid pressure. This design aims to detect meaningful differences in headache relief with adequate statistical power. Participants must be at least 16 years old and have a recent headache episode diagnosed as migraine, tension-type, or mixed headache starting within the past 24 hours. The study will measure changes in headache pain intensity from baseline to 15 minutes after the intervention. Safety and feasibility are monitored throughout, ensuring participants do not have contraindications such as carotid artery problems, heart issues, or conditions preventing the Trendelenburg position. Total study involvement includes initial assessments, treatment, and immediate follow-up evaluations.