Treatment of myofascial trigger points in female patients with chronic tension-type headache – a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of myofascial trigger point massage in the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders regarding pain in the treatment of females with chronic tension-type headache. They were randomized into either a treatment group (n = 20) (one session of trigger point massage per week for 10 weeks) or a control group receiving no treatment (n = 19). The patients kept a diary to record their pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the daily intake of drugs (mg) during the 4 weeks before and after the treatment period. The McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Short Form (SF-36) Questionnaire 1.1 were completed immediately before and after each treatment period. Morning pain measured on VAS was chosen as the primary outcome. A significant improvement in morning pain was recorded in the treatment group compared with the control group (difference of the change: 8.8 (95% CI 0.11–17.4), p = 0.047). Furthermore, a significant decrease in the number of trigger points was observed in the treatment group compared with the control group. Myofascial trigger point massage has a beneficial effect on pain in female patients with chronic tension-type headache.

Key words::

• massage
• pain
• physiotherapy

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the patients for participating and making the project possible, to thank Frank Rechter and Vibeke M nster for invaluable help during the project, and to acknowledge Suzanne Capell for editorial assistance with this manuscript. This study was supported by "Danske Fysioterapeuters Forskningsfond" and "Praksisfonden" and we are grateful for their generous support of this work.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.