Clinical Research Directory

China HeadAche DIsorders RegiStry

It is planned to include 10000 patients. In the China HeadAche DIsorders RegiStry CHAIRS）, patients aged over 12 years with primary headache and medication-overuse headache(MOH) were collected. The biomarkers, imaging features, cognition, genetic characteristics, ocial and demographic data, medical data, therapeutics used, and outcome of headache-related diseases were studied, and long-term follow-up was planned.

Efficacy of a Multimodal Physiotherapy Program and Mobile-App Guided Meditation in Adults With Frequent or Chronic Tension-Type Headache

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a multimodal physiotherapy program and guided meditation using a mobile app can help reduce headache pain and improve quality of life in adults with frequent or chronic tension-type headache. The study analyzes the effects of physical and psychological interventions applied both separately and in combination, so that the combined treatment addresses tension-type headache as a multifactorial condition influenced by biopsychophysiological factors, integrating physical and psychological strategies to improve participants' overall well-being. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does multimodal physiotherapy lower the intensity and frequency of headaches? * Does guided meditation through a mobile app help reduce stress and improve emotional well-being? * Are the combined effects of physiotherapy and meditation greater than either intervention alone? The study will compare: * A group receiving multimodal physiotherapy sessions once a week for four weeks, * A group practicing guided meditation with a mobile app for about 5 to 7 minutes daily, * A group combining both physiotherapy and meditation. Participants will: * Attend clinical sessions or use the meditation app depending on group assignment, * Complete short questionnaires about pain, stress, sleep, and daily functioning, * Record headache episodes in a structured diary during the study period.

China Headache and Vertigo Registry Study

In the Chinese Headache and Vertigo Registration Study, patients aged 4-99 years with headache (primary headache and secondary headache such as migraine and tension type headache), vertigo (vertigo diseases such as vestibular migraine) and chronic pain (fibromyalgia and other diseases) were collected. The biomarkers, imaging features, right-to-left shunt of the heart (lung), genetic characteristics, treatment, and outcome (in relation to other diseases) of headache-related diseases were studied, and long-term follow-up was planned.

Carotid Sinus Massage in Trendelenburg Position for Headache Relief

Headaches significantly impact patients' quality of life, with tension-type headaches and migraines being among the most prevalent types. There is growing evidence suggesting that blood pressure regulation and baroreceptor activity play a role in headache pathophysiology. Carotid sinus massage (CSM), particularly when combined with the modified Trendelenburg position, may modulate autonomic nervous system activity to relieve headache symptoms. An initial open-label pilot study (n = 17) was completed, and the results were published in a preprint server for health sciences, the Medical Research Archive (medRxiv), demonstrating the feasibility, safety, and promising preliminary efficacy of CSM+T. Based on these findings, a follow-up randomized, sham-controlled, parallel-arm trial will further evaluate the efficacy of the treatment.

International Headache Registry Study

In the International Headache and Vertigo Registration Study, patients aged 4-99 years with headache (primary headache and secondary headache such as migraine and tension type headache), vertigo (vertigo diseases such as vestibular migraine) and chronic pain (fibromyalgia and other diseases) were collected. The biomarkers, imaging features, right-to-left shunt of the heart (lung), genetic characteristics, treatment, and outcome (in relation to other diseases) of headache-related diseases were studied, and long-term follow-up was planned.

HVLAT, Electric DN, Exercise Vs. Mobilization, STM, Exercise, TENS for Tension Type Headaches

The purpose of this research is to compare two different approaches for treating patients with tension-type headaches: thrust Manipulation, electric dry Needling and exercise Vs. non-thrust mobilization, soft-tissue mobilization, exercise and TENS. Physical therapists commonly use all of these techniques to treat tension-type headaches. This study is attempting to find out if one treatment strategy is more effective than the other.

Suboccipital Release Versus Instrument- Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Tension Type Headache

The study aims to explore the impact of suboccipital release versus instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, headache impact test, and headache frequency in patients with tension headache. The research will also examine the effects of these methods on headache impact tests and frequency.

Effectiveness of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Exercises in Patients With Tension-Type Headache

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of deep cervical flexor muscle exercises on pain, spinal posture, and sensory sensitivity in patients with tension-type headaches. Designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial, the study will assess participants' pain levels using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), sensory sensitivity through the Sensory Sensitivity Scale, and spinal posture via a digital inclinometer for objective measurements. This research seeks to determine the effectiveness of these exercises in managing pain, improving spinal posture, and contributing to the enhancement of sensory sensitivity.

The Classification and Treatment of Myofascial Headache: a Cross-sectional Study and Randomized Controlled Trial.

This project comprises two studies; a cross-sectional study and a randomized controlled trial. 1. The goal of the cross-sectional study is to compare multiple outcome parameters in different headache types: tension type (TTH), cervicogenic (CGH) and myofascial headache (MFH) as drafted by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD). Not only will these types be compared against each other, they will also be compared to healthy controls (HC). The main research questions are: * Are the criteria drafted by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) discriminative for MFH? * Are there differences between the headache types (and healthy controls) in pain \& disability scores, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, muscle elasticity and hyperalgesia (=pain pressure threshold, PPT)? Participants will : * Fill out questionnaires about their pain and disability; * Be clinically investigated by a physiotherapist (anamnesis, inspection, examination of movement and structures of the neck and head); * Undergo a testing battery including neck ROM, neck muscle strength \& elasticity and PPT measurement of the C2 processus spinosus, the bilateral upper trapezius muscle and the tibialis anterior muscle of the dominant leg. 2. The goal of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the additional effect of dry needling in the treatment of MFH patients, as compared to a treatment consisting of manual techniques only. The main question it aims to answer is: * Does manual therapy combined with dry needling provide an additional effect on pain, disability and functional outcomes in MFH patients, as compared to manual therapy alone? After the baseline test (see part 1), participants with MFH will be randomly divided to receive 4 sessions over 4 weeks of MT or MT + DN. Hereafter, the baseline test is repeated at 1 week and 3 months post-treatment.

Mulligan Mobilizations Versus Active Release Technique in Tension-type Headache.

Tension-type headaches, characterized by a dull, aching head pain, are one of the most prevalent forms of headache disorders worldwide. Although they are typically not associated with severe disability or neurological symptoms, they can significantly impact an individual's quality of life due to chronic pain and discomfort. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as manual therapy techniques, have gained prominence in headache management, offering potential relief and functional improvements for patients. This study aims to investigate the comparative effectiveness of two widely used manual therapy approaches, Mulligan mobilization and Active Release Technique (ART), in alleviating pain, reducing disability, and enhancing range of motion (ROM) in patients suffering from tension-type headaches. Understanding which technique offers superior outcomes is vital for optimizing headache management strategies.

Effects of Osteopathic Treatment in Patients With Tension Type Headache

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the suboccipital muscles inhibition technique on patients suffering from tension-type headaches.

Dance-therapy and Chronic Pain

Pain, when it becomes chronic, can be a threat to patients and it is very common to observe a fear of pain and a fear of movement (kinesiophobia). Avoidance of movement due to fear of pain can lead to a deterioration of body image. Non-medicinal therapies are essential to correct this fear and movement avoidance behavior, to decrease "catastrophic" judgments and thus anxiety. The use of art-therapy in the accompaniment of patients with pain has shown, in particular, decreases in the intensity of pain, the level of anxiety, an improvement in stress, mood and overall psychological state. However, according to the current literature, it appears that 1) this technique is rarely used in children or adolescents, for whom non-medicinal therapies are fundamental, and 2) in the case of chronic pain, the form of art used is very rarely related to the body (most often painting, drawing, music...). In this project, investigators propose to set up and test the potential benefit of art-therapy sessions related to the body, namely dance-therapy, in adolescents and young adults suffering from chronic pain.