Comparing dry needling and manual therapy for cervicogenic headaches
Comparing the Use of Cervical-Cranial Dry Needling With Orthopedic Manual Therapy to the Cervical Spine for Cervicogenic Headache: A Multi-center RCT With 1-Year Follow Up
This study is testing whether dry needling or manual therapy works better for treating cervicogenic headaches in people over a month of treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Youngstown State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Youngstown, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT03583190 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of cervical-cranial dry needling versus orthopedic manual therapy in treating cervicogenic headaches (CGH). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either treatment twice a week for two weeks, followed by one to two sessions per week for an additional two weeks, totaling six to eight visits over one month. Alongside the primary interventions, patients will also receive education, thoracic manipulation, and exercise to enhance treatment outcomes. The study will assess patient outcomes at multiple time points: one week, one month, three months, and twelve months post-treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who meet the International Headache Society criteria for cervicogenic headaches and experience headaches at least once a week for over three months.
Not a fit: Patients primarily experiencing migraines or those with contraindications to the interventions will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide evidence for more effective treatment options for patients suffering from cervicogenic headaches.
How similar studies have performed: While manual therapy has established effectiveness for CGH, the use of dry needling is less researched, making this study a novel exploration of its potential benefits.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years or older * Meets the IHS criteria for CGH * Headache frequency of at least 1 per week over a period greater than 3 months. * Demonstrates segmental dysfunction with passive mobility testing. Exclusion Criteria: Patients whose headache experience is primarily of migraine origin. Tension-type headache, headache pain \<2, contraindications to the interventions (malignancy, myelopathy, fracture, metabolic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, long-term corticosteroid use), headache presentation suggesting cervical arterial insufficiency, severe metal allergy, needle phobia, history of neck or thoracic spine surgery, Non-English speaking patients, therapist is unable to elicit the headache with passive accessory intervertebral movements (PAIVM), or pending litigation for neck pain and/or headache.
Where this trial is running
Youngstown, Ohio
- Youngstown State University — Youngstown, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: David Griswold, PhD — Associate Professor at Youngstown State University
- Study coordinator: David Griswold, PhD
- Email: dwgriswold@ysu.edu
- Phone: 330-941-2419
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.