Differences in cervical musculoskeletal impairment between episodic and chronic tension-type headache

Abstract

Active MTrPs in the craniocervical region contribute to triggering or maintenance of TTH and posture or neck mobility may be a result of chronic headache.

International consensus on the most useful physical examination tests used by physiotherapists for patients with headache: A Delphi study

“…examination tests (Lous and Olesen 1982;Langemark and Olesen 1987;Bovim 1992;Hatch et al 1992;Garrett et al 1993;Jensen et al 1993;Kidd and Nelson 1993;Watson and Trott 1993;Jensen 1996;Lipchik et al 1996;Sand et al 1997;Zwart 1997;Ashina et al 1999;Jull et al 1999Jull et al , 2007Neufeld et al 2000;Dumas et al 2001;Mørk et al 2003;Giacomini et al 2004;Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al 2006;Fernández-de-Las-Peñas et al 2006a, 2006b, 2007Sandrini et al 2006;Zito et al 2006;Amiri et al 2007;Glaros et al 2007Glaros et al , 2007Ogince et al 2007;Hall et al 2008Hall et al , 2010Hall et al , 2010Bevilaqua-Grossi et al 2009;Peddireddy et al 2009;Uthaikhup et al 2009;Sohn et al 2010Sohn et al , 2013Stuginski-Barbosa et al 2010;Melo et al 2012;Watson and Drummond 2012;Marchand et al 2014;Tali et al 2014). …”

Active myofascial trigger points in head and neck muscles of patients with chronic tension-type headache in two primary health care units in Tshwane

“…Studies of CTTH patients done in Spain and Korea found an average of 1.9 and 2.4 active MTrPs per CTTH patient respectively, when examining three to four head and neck muscles bilaterally. 13,16 In a subsequent study led by the same Spanish researcher, a mean number of seven active MTrPs per CTTH patient were found when examining six head and neck muscles bilaterally. 21 In the current study, which examined five head and neck muscles bilaterally, a mean number of 4.9 active MTrPs per CTTH patient was found.…”

“…The suboccipital muscles also exhibited the highest number of active MTrPs in one of the Spanish studies, 21 unlike the Korean study, where the upper trapezius was more often involved (60.9% of patients) as compared with the suboccipital (26.1%) and temporalis (8.7%) muscles. 16 Simons et al have noted that the trapezius is probably the muscle that is most often affected by MTrPs. 5 The relatively low prevalence of active MTrPs in the trapezius in our study may relate to differences in daily activities in our study population, compared with other study populations.…”

“…24 This contribution of active MTrPs to CTTH pain is supported by several other researchers in this field. 6,16 It has also been suggested that early identification and interventions to address MTrPs in patients presenting with tension type headache may prevent progression to a more chronic headache disorder. 5 It should, however, also be noted that the presence of MTrPs in patients with CTTH does not rule out the importance of other factors, such as psychological stress or anxiety and abnormal head posture, which may also exert their respective effects through the activation of MTrPs.…”

“…This study was performed in a headache clinic based in a tertiary hospital. 16 The relationship between MTrPs and CTTH has not yet been explored in the primary health care setting. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of active MTrPs in specific head and neck muscles, in patients with CTTH presenting to primary health care facilities in Tshwane, South Africa.…”