Effect of muscle energy technique and spinal manipulation in pain management of cervicogenic headache: a pilot study

Abstract

Cervicogenic headache intertwined with consequences such as pain and also markedly impacts movement, function, quality of life. Understanding the impact of alternative techniques on pain, due to cervicogenic headache and might provide additional strategies to routine medical treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of muscle energy technique (MET) and spinal manipulation technique (SMT) in managing cervicogenic headache among office workers. Twenty-four cervicogenic headache patients (aged 25-45 years) were randomly assigned to two equal groups (n = 12). MET was given to Group A and Group B received SMT, for two weeks (three sessions per week). Pre- and post-treatment, the dependent variables viz . pain intensity defence and veterans pain rating scale (DVPRS scale), cervical range of motion (goniometer), and functional disability (headache disability index, HDI score), were evaluated at the beginning and after 2 weeks of completion of treatment. The difference (between Group A and B) was found to be statistically significant ( ), for post intervention measurement of pain improvement. The improvement in cervical range of motion was also found in Group A compared to Group B with . In addition, there was improvement in function (HDI score) which revealed statistically significant ( ) mean values in Group A compared to Group B. Both MET and SMT are effective in pain reduction, improvement in range of motion and improvement in functional limitation. However, SMT was found to be more effective in treating cervicogenic headache.