Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation for Cervicogenic Headaches: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Headaches have been listed as 1 of the 10 most disabling conditions worldwide. (Stovner et al., 2007) and cervicogenic headaches (CeHs) comprise 15% of the individuals with these complaints. (Nillsson, 1995); (Fernandez de-las-penas et al., 2005) The current best approach to the conservative care of this condition has yet to be determined. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether individuals with CeHs will respond to a program of thoracic spine thrust manipulation in isolation. This may further the current body of evidence by offering an alternative, potentially safer approach to the conservative care of individuals with this condition. Additionally, results of this study may serve to drive a larger scale Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) by offering information regarding feasibility of recruitment of individuals with chronic CeHs as well as timing and dosing of the intervention.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Headache Disorders, Secondary
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Thoracic manipulation (Manipulation Group); Procedure: Thoracic Manipulation (Control wait-list)

Detailed Description

Headaches have been listed as 1 of the 10 most disabling conditions worldwide. (Stovner et al., 2007) and cervicogenic headaches (CeHs) comprise 15% of the individuals with these complaints. (Nillsson, 1995); (Fernandez de-las-penas et al., 2005) The current best approach to the conservative care of this condition has yet to be determined. Evidence suggests that manipulative therapy aimed at the cervical spine in combination with exercise is helpful in alleviating these symptoms. (Jull et al., 2002) The risk of injury from cervical spine manipulative techniques has been documented to be remote (Haldeman et al., 2002; DiFabio 1999), however the potential consequences can be severe. Therefore with inherently lower risks, thoracic spine manipulations may be a suitable alternative as the evidence is accumulating for its influence on the cervical spine. (Mintken et al., 2010; Boyles et al., 2009; Cleland et al., 2005 & 2007 A & B, 2010; Flynn et al., 2001; Fernandez-de-las-penas et al., 2004; Piva et al., 2000; Browder et al., 2004) The primary aim of this study is to determine whether individuals with CeHs will respond to a program of thoracic spine thrust manipulation in isolation. This may further the current body of evidence by offering an alternative, potentially safer approach to the conservative care of individuals with this condition. Additionally, results of this study may serve to drive a larger scale RCT by offering information regarding feasibility of recruitment of individuals with chronic CeHs as well as timing and dosing of the intervention.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 48
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Colorado
    • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
      • University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 60 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 18 and 60 years old Sjaastad et al for CeH, which included
• unilateral or unilateral dominant side-consistent headache associated with neck pain and aggravated by neck postures or movement (Sjaastad et al., 1998)
• joint tenderness in at least one of the three upper cervical joints (C0-C3) as assessed by manual palpation
• headache frequency of at least one per week over the past 2 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• red flags noted in the patient's Neck Medical Screening Questionnaire (e.g. tumor, fracture)
• metabolic diseases RA, osteoporosis, prolonged history of steroid use, symptoms of vertebrobasilary insufficiency, pregnancy, cervical spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity symptoms etc.)
• history of whiplash injury within the past six weeks
• evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman's and/or Babinski reflexes
• two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following: muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity, diminished upper extremity muscle stretch reflex (biceps brachii, brachioradialis, or triceps reflex), diminished or absent sensation to pinprick in any upper extremity dermatome
• prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine
• chiropractic or physical therapy treatment for their headaches over the past 6-months
• bilateral headache description
• migraine headaches with or without aura
• workers compensation or pending legal action regarding their headaches
• inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule
• we will not recruit individuals whom the researcher is in a position to punish or reward, whether through grades, evaluations, or promotions

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Treatment (thoracic manipulation); Patients in the initial manipulation group will attend physical therapy two sessions per week for 3 weeks for a total of 6 sessions. Each treatment session will last for a total of 15 minutes. After the initial manipulation group receives 3 weeks of treatment they will wait for 1-week, be retested, and then crossover into the other group.	Procedure: Thoracic manipulation (Manipulation Group); Manipulation techniques will include: CT junction manipulation seated and supine, upper thoracic manipulation, middle thoracic spine manipulation in seated and supine, middle thoracic spine manipulation in prone, thoracic active range of motion exercise and instruction to maintain usual activity level within the limits of pain.; Other Names: Manual therapy to thoracic spine
Active Comparator: Wait-list (thoracic manipulation); When individuals are assigned to the wait-list control group they will serve as the control for 3 weeks while the initial manipulation group receives treatment. After serving as the wait-list control condition for 3 weeks, this group will then return for testing and will receive the manipulation package as described below at 4 weeks.	Procedure: Thoracic Manipulation (Control wait-list); Manipulation techniques will include: CT junction manipulation seated and supine, upper thoracic manipulation, middle thoracic spine manipulation in seated and supine, middle thoracic spine manipulation in prone, thoracic active range of motion exercise and instruction to maintain usual activity level within the limits of pain.; Other Names: Manual therapy to thoracic spine

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Headache Disability Index	Headache Disability Index (HDI): The HDI is a 25-item questionnaire used to assess the patient's perceived impact of the headaches on their daily life.	Baseline
Headache Disability Index	Headache Disability Index (HDI): The HDI is a 25-item questionnaire used to assess the patient's perceived impact of the headaches on their daily life.	4 weeks
Headache Disability Index	Headache Disability Index (HDI): The HDI is a 25-item questionnaire used to assess the patient's perceived impact of the headaches on their daily life.	8 weeks
Headache Disability Index	Headache Disability Index (HDI): The HDI is a 25-item questionnaire used to assess the patient's perceived impact of the headaches on their daily life.	3 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	An 11-point NPRS will be used to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their current level of pain and their worse and least amount of pain in the last 24 hours.	Baseline
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	An 11-point NPRS will be used to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their current level of pain and their worse and least amount of pain in the last 24 hours.	4 weeks
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	An 11-point NPRS will be used to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their current level of pain and their worse and least amount of pain in the last 24 hours.	8 weeks
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	An 11-point NPRS will be used to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their current level of pain and their worse and least amount of pain in the last 24 hours.	3 months
Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)	The 10 item questionnaire is used to assess the patient's confidence in performing specific activities despite pain. Items are listed on a 0 to 6 scale, with a maximum score of 60 points.	Baseline
Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)	The 10 item questionnaire is used to assess the patient's confidence in performing specific activities despite pain. Items are listed on a 0 to 6 scale, with a maximum score of 60 points.	4 weeks
Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)	The 10 item questionnaire is used to assess the patient's confidence in performing specific activities despite pain. Items are listed on a 0 to 6 scale, with a maximum score of 60 points.	8 weeks
Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)	The 10 item questionnaire is used to assess the patient's confidence in performing specific activities despite pain. Items are listed on a 0 to 6 scale, with a maximum score of 60 points.	3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Amy W McDevitt, DPT, University of Colorado, Denver

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Jull G, Trott P, Potter H, Zito G, Niere K, Shirley D, Emberson J, Marschner I, Richardson C. A randomized controlled trial of exercise and manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2002 Sep 1;27(17):1835-43; discussion 1843. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200209010-00004.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 19, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): September 19, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): March 15, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 4, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2021
• Last Verified: February 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Headache; Headache Disorders, Secondary; Headache Disorders; Post-Traumatic Headache
• Other Study ID Numbers: 15-0983

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED