Effect of a Craniosacral Therapy Protocol in People with Migraine: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Migraine is a common neurological disorder, and it is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Manual techniques based on physical therapy have been proposed to improve migraine aspects; however, further research is needed on their effectiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a craniosacral therapy protocol on different features in migraine patients. Methods: Fifty individuals with migraine were randomly divided into two groups (n = 25 per group): (i) craniosacral therapy group (CTG), following a craniosacral therapy protocol, and (ii) sham control group (SCG), with a sham treatment. The analyzed variables were pain, migraine severity and frequency of episodes, functional, emotional, and overall disability, medication intake, and self-reported perceived changes, at baseline, after a 4 week intervention, and at 8 week follow-up. Results: After the intervention, the CTG significantly reduced pain (p = 0.01), frequency of episodes (p = 0.001), functional (p = 0.001) and overall disability (p = 0.02), and medication intake (p = 0.01), as well as led to a significantly higher self-reported perception of change (p = 0.01), when compared to SCG. In addition, the results were maintained at follow-up evaluation in all variables. Conclusions: A protocol based on craniosacral therapy is effective in improving pain, frequency of episodes, functional and overall disability, and medication intake in migraineurs. This protocol may be considered as a therapeutic approach in migraine patients.

Potential Add-On Effects of Manual Therapy Techniques in Migraine Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial

“…The intervention protocols performed in this study have been previously described by our research group [ 16 , 20 ]. Briefly, the treatment protocol applied to the STG consisted of the suboccipital inhibition technique, frontal technique, sphenoid technique, fourth ventricle technique and lumbosacral technique.…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that soft tissue techniques may be useful in migraine patients in terms of pain and frequency of onset [ 14 ] and migraine impact [ 15 ]. Indeed, we previously reported that a protocol based on soft tissue and cranial techniques can be effective in reducing pain, frequency of onset, functional disability and use of medication in people with migraine [ 16 ].…”

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and the Management of Headaches: A Scoping Review

“…The most common soft tissue technique tested during OMT treatments was suboccipital inhibition [28,30]. Additional soft tissue techniques examined include frontal technique, sphenoid technique, fourth ventricle technique, and lumbosacral technique [30].…”

“…The most common soft tissue technique tested during OMT treatments was suboccipital inhibition [28,30]. Additional soft tissue techniques examined include frontal technique, sphenoid technique, fourth ventricle technique, and lumbosacral technique [30]. One study evaluated the impact of the OMT techniques BLT and balanced membranous tension (BMT) on MH [26].…”

“…The Migraine Disability Assessment Scale was used in 50% of the studies that evaluated OMT and MH [27][28][29]. Two studies incorporated the use of a standardized migraine diary [26,30]. Other measurement tools used to measure the effectiveness of the various OMT techniques in the treatment of migraines include a Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Visual Analog Scale, Headache Disability Index, cervical active range of motion with CROM3 goniometer, and pressure pain threshold with a Wagner algometer [27,28,30].…”