Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition Technique vs Rocabado Exercises on Cervicogenic Headache

Launched by RIPHAH INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · Apr 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating two different treatments for cervicogenic headache, which is a type of headache that originates from issues in the neck. The researchers want to compare the effectiveness of a technique called Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition with a set of exercises known as Rocabado exercises. The study is taking place at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in Islamabad and involves 40 participants between the ages of 20 and 50 who have been experiencing chronic cervicogenic headaches for at least three months.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must have a specific type of headache that is usually felt on one side of the head and is often accompanied by neck pain and stiffness. They should have headaches occurring at least once a week, with pain intensity rated between 3 and 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. The study will last for six months, and participants will be assessed at the beginning and after two weeks of treatment. If you or someone you know fits this description and is looking for a potential way to manage cervicogenic headaches, this trial may be an option worth considering.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants with a history of chronic CGH (\>3 months)
• • CGH pain intensity between 3 and 8 on NPRS
• • Participants who had a unilateral headache that do not shift side (ipsilateral neck pain/stiffness)
• • Pain at least once a week in the previous three months, chronic, episodic, and duration one hour to weeks (non-throbbing pain starts in the neck).
• • CGH due to cervical spine dysfunction
• • Neck pain followed by headache
• • Patients with neck stiffness and movement restriction were included.
• • Flexion Rotation Test results that are positive with a restriction of more than 10 degrees.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants with other types of headache migraine, sinus, tumor, neural, or temporomandibular joint issues)
• • Cervicogenic headache patients with mixed headache or any diagnosed serious pathology of alar ligament and vertebra basilar artery insufficiency
• • Any contraindications to manual and manipulative therapy (fracture, instability, osteoporosis, arthropathy, or neural symptoms)
• • Using analgesics or corticosteroids
• • Metastasis
• • Cardiac conditions (stroke, hypertension, or syncope)
• • Neurological conditions (radiculopathy, myelopathy, or disc problems)
• • Spinal cord problem
• • Previous brain and spinal cord surgery
• • Occlusal splints or any surgery in Temporomandibular joint area.