Efficacy of manual therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with tension-type headache. A randomized controlled clinical trial. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Espí-López, Gemma Victoria; López-Bueno, Laura; Vicente-Herrero, M. Teófila; Martinez-Arnau, Francisco M.; Monzani, Lucas
• Is Part Of: International journal of osteopathic medicine. Volume 22(2016)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Efficacy -- Manual therapy -- Tension-type headache -- Depression -- Anxiety -- Spinal manipulation; Osteopathic medicine -- Periodicals; Osteopathic Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.53305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijosm.2016.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0689

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Tension-type headache (TTH) is a highly prevalent disorder with a significant socio-economic impact. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of three manual therapy treatments for reducing TTH-related anxiety and depression. Subjects and methods: A clinical trial was conducted on 84 participants diagnosed with tension-type headache forming 4 groups: the first group received suboccipital soft tissue treatment (ST); the second group was treated with articulatory techniques (AT); the third group underwent a combination of both techniques (ST and AT), while the fourth group was the control group. Treatment sessions were administered over four weeks, with post-treatment assessment, and follow-up at one month. We conducted repeated measures analysis of covariance (RM-MANCOVA) to evaluate the effect of treatment on between and within-subject conditions and their interaction on reported depression and anxiety. Results: All treatments resulted in a 'moderate' reduction of psychological symptoms associated with TTH (Cohen's f = .31 for anxiety trait; f = .35 for anxiety state and f = .35 for depression). However, their efficacy varied across treatments, TTH types and the elapsed time between measurements. Conclusion: Treatments including an articulatory technique showed a greater efficacy than a soft tissue technique, or a combination of both, for the reduction of TTH-related anxiety and depression levels in these participants. Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02170259 .