Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Manual Therapy vs. Multicomponent Exercise in Cervicogenic Headache
Sponsor: Pamukkale University
Summary
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of manual therapy and a multicomponent exercise program on suboccipital muscle thickness, joint position sense, pain, central sensitization, balance, and kinesiophobia in patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache. Cervicogenic headache is a common secondary headache originating from dysfunction in the upper cervical spine. Dysfunction in the deep neck muscles, impaired neck joint awareness, and heightened pain sensitivity (central sensitization) are frequently observed in these patients. While both manual therapy and targeted exercise are used in physiotherapy practice, evidence regarding their direct comparative effects on suboccipital muscle morphology and somatosensory parameters remains limited. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups for a duration of 4 weeks (12 sessions total): 1. Manual Therapy Group: Receives joint mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point release, and suboccipital distraction targeting the cervical region. 2. Multicomponent Exercise Group: Receives deep cervical flexor strengthening, cervical proprioception training, head-eye coordination training, and progressive balance exercises. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Do manual therapy and multicomponent exercise improve suboccipital muscle thickness and cervical joint position sense in patients with cervicogenic headache? * Is there a significant difference between manual therapy and multicomponent exercise in reducing pain intensity, central sensitization, disability, and fear of movement (kinesiophobia)? It is hypothesized that both intervention protocols will yield significant clinical improvements, with specific synergistic adaptations in muscle structure, somatosensory system processing, and pain-related fear.
Official title: Effects of Manual Therapy Versus Multicomponent Exercise on Sensorimotor Function, Suboccipital Muscle Thickness, and Central Sensitization in Cervicogenic Headache: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
32
Start Date
2026-09-01
Completion Date
2027-03-31
Last Updated
2026-08-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Manual Therapy Protocol
Upper cervical joint mobilization, myofascial release, suboccipital distraction, and trigger point therapy targeting the cervical region.
Multicomponent Exercise Program
Deep cervical flexor strengthening, cervical proprioception exercises, gaze stability/head-eye coordination training, and progressive balance exercises.