"Effectiveness of Kaltenborn Mobilization Techniques Versus Maitland Mobilization on Management of Cervicogenic Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial." (Effectiveness)

September 9, 2026 updated by: Marium Khalid, Ibadat International University, Islamabad
EFFECTIVENESS OF KALTENBORN MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES VERSUS MAITLAND MOBILIZATION ON MANAGEMENT OF CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Kaltenborn and Maitland mobilization techniques in individuals with cervicogenic headache. The study will assess the effects of both interventions on pain intensity, cervical range of motion, neck disability, and headache-related disability. A total of 44 participants aged 18-40 years with clinically confirmed cervicogenic headache will be randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups will receive baseline physiotherapy treatment, while Group A will receive Kaltenborn mobilization and Group B will receive Maitland mobilization for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week. The findings will help determine which mobilization technique is more effective and provide evidence to guide physiotherapists in the management of cervicogenic headache.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

44

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age: 18-40 yrs

    • Gender: male/female
    • Unilateral neck pain and stiffness
    • Cervicogenic headache confirmed with Cervical Flexion Rotation Test
    • Cervical spine ROM>10°
    • Unilateral headache
    • Headache triggered on neck extension

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Congenital conditions of cervical spine

    • Disc herniation
    • Cervical radiculopathy
    • Myelopathy
    • Cervical fracture/ trauma past 3 months
    • Vestibular dysfunction/ VBI
    • TMJ dysfunction related headache
    • Whiplash injury
    • Other types of headache i-e tension type, migraine or cluster type

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Maitland mobilization
Maitland mobilization will consist of passive oscillatory mobilization techniques applied to the symptomatic cervical segments. Mobilization grades I-IV will be selected according to the participant's pain severity, irritability, and limitation of cervical movement. Each mobilization will be performed for 30-60 seconds and repeated for 2-3 sets per affected segment, with the aim of reducing pain and improving cervical joint mobility and range of motion.
Other: Maitland mobilization
Maitland mobilization will consist of passive oscillatory mobilization techniques applied to the symptomatic cervical segments. Mobilization grades I-IV will be selected according to the participant's pain severity, irritability, and limitation of cervical movement. Each mobilization will be performed for 30-60 seconds and repeated for 2-3 sets per affected segment, with the aim of reducing pain and improving cervical joint mobility and range of motion.
Active Comparator: Kaltenborn Mobilization
Kaltenborn mobilization will consist of sustained passive joint mobilization techniques applied to hypomobile cervical segments. Grades I-III mobilizations will be selected according to the participant's pain level, joint mobility, and clinical findings. Each mobilization will be performed for 2-3 sets per affected cervical segment, with the aim of reducing pain, improving joint play, and increasing cervical range of motion.
Other: Kaltenborn
Kaltenborn mobilization will consist of sustained passive joint mobilization techniques applied to hypomobile cervical segments. Grades I-III mobilizations will be selected according to the participant's pain level, joint mobility, and clinical findings. Each mobilization will be performed for 2-3 sets per affected cervical segment, with the aim of reducing pain, improving joint play, and increasing cervical range of motion.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time Frame: baseline and after 8 weeks
The **Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)** is an 11-point scale used to assess pain intensity, ranging from **0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain)**. Participants will be asked to rate their current neck/headache pain by selecting the number that best represents their pain intensity.
baseline and after 8 weeks
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: baseline and after 8 weeks
The **Neck Disability Index (NDI)** is a standardized questionnaire used to assess neck pain-related disability and its impact on daily activities. It consists of **10 items**, with higher scores indicating greater levels of disability.
baseline and after 8 weeks
Inclinometer to asses ROM
Time Frame: baseline and after 8 weeks
An **inclinometer** is a reliable measuring device used to assess cervical spine range of motion (ROM). It measures cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation in degrees, allowing objective evaluation of changes in cervical mobility before and after treatment.
baseline and after 8 weeks
Headache Disability Index (HDI)
Time Frame: baseline and after 8 weeks
The **Headache Disability Index (HDI)** is a standardized questionnaire used to assess the impact of headache on a participant's daily activities and emotional well-being. It evaluates functional and emotional limitations associated with headache, with higher scores indicating greater headache-related disability.
baseline and after 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Marium Khalid, Ms-OMPT, Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 28, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/02//242

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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