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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Ultrasound | Research

Neck-specific strengthening exercise compared with placebo sham ultrasound in patients with migraine: a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Mariana Tedeschi Benatto, Lidiane Lima Florencio, Marcela Mendes Bragatto, Fabíola Dach, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Débora Bevilaqua-Grossi

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Migraine patients have musculoskeletal disorders and pain in the cervical. And, despite the pathophysiology demonstrating the relationship between migraine and the cervical spine, the effectiveness of craniocervical exercises in these patients has not been verified. So, the aimed of this study was verify the effectiveness of craniocervical muscle-strengthening exercise (CMSE) in reducing the frequency and intensity of headache in migraine patients.

Methods

A two-armed, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up was performed. For eight weeks, the volunteers in the intervention group (n = 21) performed a protocol of CMSE, while those in the sham ultrasound group (n = 21) received the application of disconnected therapeutic ultrasound in the upper trapezius and guideline for home-stretching. The primary outcomes were the frequency and intensity of the headache. The secondary outcomes were questionnaires about migraine and neck disability, and satisfaction with the treatment, cervical range of motion, the pressure pain threshold, craniocervical flexion test (CCFT), cervical muscle strength and endurance test, and the cervical muscle activity during the physical tests.

Results

No differences were observed for the changes observed in primary outcomes after eight weeks and at the 3-months follow up (p > 0.05). For the secondary outcomes, craniocervical exercises improved the sensitivity of the frontal muscle (p = 0.040) and promoted a reduced amplitude of muscle activity of the anterior scalene and upper trapezius in the last stages of CCFT (p ≤ 0.010). There was also reduced muscle activity of the anterior scalene and splenius capitis in the endurance test (p ≤ 0.045), as evaluated by surface electromyography.

Conclusion

CMSE were insufficient in reducing the frequency and intensity of headache, improving the performance of the cervical muscles, or reducing migraine and neck pain-related disabilities. This was found despite a decreased electromyographic activity of the cervical muscles during the last stages of CCFT and increased median frequency during the endurance test.

Trial registration

Accession code RBR-8gfv5j, registered 28/11/2016 in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC).

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Neck-specific strengthening exercise compared with placebo sham ultrasound in patients with migraine: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mariana Tedeschi Benatto
Lidiane Lima Florencio
Marcela Mendes Bragatto
Fabíola Dach
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
Débora Bevilaqua-Grossi
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Ultrasound
Migraine
Neck Pain
Ultrasound
Headache
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02650-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Neck-specific strengthening exercise compared with placebo sham ultrasound in patients with migraine: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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