Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation for Cervicogenic Headaches: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Headache Disorders, Secondary

In brief

Headaches have been listed as 1 of the 10 most disabling conditions worldwide. (Stovner et al., 2007) and cervicogenic headaches (CeHs) comprise 15% of the individuals with these complaints. (Nillsson, 1995); (Fernandez de-las-penas et al., 2005) The current best approach to the conservative care of this condition has yet to be determined. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether individuals with CeHs will respond to a program of thoracic spine thrust manipulation in isolation. This may further the current body of evidence by offering an alternative, potentially safer approach to the conservative care of individuals with this condition. Additionally, results of this study may serve to drive a larger scale Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) by offering information regarding feasibility of recruitment of individuals with chronic CeHs as well as timing and dosing of the intervention.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02708953

Run by

University of Colorado, Denver

People needed

48

Starts

2016-05-01

Expected to finish

2019-09-19

Last updated by the study team

2021-02-04

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Between 18 and 60 years old Sjaastad et al for CeH, which included
• unilateral or unilateral dominant side-consistent headache associated with neck pain and aggravated by neck postures or movement (Sjaastad et al., 1998)
• joint tenderness in at least one of the three upper cervical joints (C0-C3) as assessed by manual palpation
• headache frequency of at least one per week over the past 2 months

You may not qualify if…

• red flags noted in the patient's Neck Medical Screening Questionnaire (e.g. tumor, fracture)
• metabolic diseases RA, osteoporosis, prolonged history of steroid use, symptoms of vertebrobasilary insufficiency, pregnancy, cervical spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity symptoms etc.)
• history of whiplash injury within the past six weeks
• evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman's and/or Babinski reflexes
• two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following: muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity, diminished upper extremity muscle stretch reflex (biceps brachii, brachioradialis, or triceps reflex), diminished or absent sensation to pinprick in any upper extremity dermatome
• prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine
• chiropractic or physical therapy treatment for their headaches over the past 6-months
• bilateral headache description
• migraine headaches with or without aura
• workers compensation or pending legal action regarding their headaches
• inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule
• we will not recruit individuals whom the researcher is in a position to punish or reward, whether through grades, evaluations, or promotions

Where it is running

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus — Aurora, Colorado, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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