Treatment for chronic headaches and neck pain

Treating Chronic Cervicogenic Head and Neck Pain With Osteopathic Manipulation and Exercise Therapy

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Michigan State University · NCT05617365

This study is testing if a combination of special neck treatments and exercises can help women aged 18 to 75 with chronic headaches feel better compared to standard care.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexFemale
SponsorMichigan State University Academic / other
Locations1 site (East Lansing, Michigan)
Trial IDNCT05617365 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) combined with targeted head exercises (THE) in reducing the frequency, intensity, and duration of cervicogenic headaches in female patients aged 18 to 75. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the treatment group receiving OMT and THE or a control group receiving standard medical care. The study will utilize a parallel, 2-arm, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial design, with an estimated sample size of 30 to ensure sufficient statistical power for detecting meaningful recovery. The trial focuses on patients diagnosed with chronic cervicogenic headache based on established diagnostic criteria.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are females aged 18 to 75 diagnosed with chronic cervicogenic headache.

Not a fit: Patients with recent spinal injuries, certain autoimmune diseases, or ongoing central nervous system pathologies may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly alleviate chronic cervicogenic headache symptoms for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, but this specific combination of therapies is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Females diagnosed with chronic cervicogenic headache.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Have you been involved in a rear-end motor vehicle accident within the past 3 years?
* Have you had spinal surgery performed on your neck?
* Do you have a pinched nerve in the neck that produces pain radiating down your arm.
* Have you been diagnosed with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ankylosing spondylitis.
* Do you have ongoing central nervous system pathology such as hemiparesis, cervical radiculopathy, spondylolisthesis grade III or IV, central nervous system causes of balance \& coordination deficits, orthostatic hypotension, vestibular disorders, pregnancy, recent spinal fractures, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Where this trial is running

East Lansing, Michigan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cervicogenic HeadacheNeck Pain, Posterior
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.