An updated brief overview on post-traumatic headache and a systematic review of the non-pharmacological interventions for its management

References

• Lucas S. Post-traumatic headache: clinical characterization and management. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015;19(10):48.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Baandrup L, Jensen R. Chronic post-traumatic headache – a clinical analysis in relation to the international headache classification 2nd edition. Cephalalgia. 2005;25(2):132–138.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Seifert TD, Evans RW. Posttraumatic headache: a review. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010;14(4):292–298.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yilmaz T, Roks G, De Koning M, et al. Risk factors and outcomes associated with post-traumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury. Emerg Med J. 2017;34(12):800–805.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The international classification of headache disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1–211.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Theeler B, Lucas S, Riechers RG, et al. Post-traumatic headaches in civilians and military personnel: a comparative, clinical review. Headache. 2013;53(6):881–900.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Management of Concussion/mTBI Working Group. VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for management of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2009;46(6)
   Google Scholar
• Sullivan KA, Edmed SL, Cunningham LC. A comparison of new and existing mild traumatic brain injury vignettes: recommendations for research into post-concussion syndrome. Brain Inj. 2013;27(1):19–30.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lucas S, Hoffman JM, Bell KR, et al. A prospective study of prevalence and characterization of headache following mild traumatic brain injury. Cephalalgia. 2014;34(2):93–102.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Marshall S, Bayley M, McCullagh S, et al. Updated clinical practice guidelines for concussion/mild traumatic brain injury and persistent symptoms. Brain Inj. 2015;29(6):688–700.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Larsen EL, Ashina H, Iljazi A, et al. Acute and preventive pharmacological treatment of post-traumatic headache: a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2019;20(1):98.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Monsour DA, Lay C, Ansari T, et al. Post-traumatic headache in children and adolescents: a narrative review with a focus on management. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020;20(11):53.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Feinberg C, Carr C, Zemek R, et al. Association of pharmacological interventions with symptom burden reduction in patients with mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. JAMA Neurol. 2021 Jan 19. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.5079.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Al Sayegh A, Sandford D, Carson AJ. Psychological approaches to treatment of postconcussion syndrome: a systematic review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2010;81(10):1128–1134.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Heslot C, Cogné M, Guillouët E, et al. Management of unfavorable outcome after mild traumatic brain injury: review of physical and cognitive rehabilitation and of psychological care in post-concussive syndrome. Neurochirurgie. 2020. doi:10.1016/j.neuchi.2020.09.001.
   Google Scholar
• Fraser F, Matsuzawa Y, Lee YSC, et al. Behavioral treatments for post-traumatic headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2017;21(5):22.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Minen M, Jinich S, Vallespir Ellett G. Behavioral therapies and mind-body interventions for posttraumatic headache and post-concussive symptoms: a systematic review. Headache. 2019;59(2):151–163.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Nampiaparampil DE. Prevalence of chronic pain after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. JAMA. 2008;300(6):711–719.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Evans RW. The postconcussion syndrome and the sequelae of mild head injury. In: Evans RW, editor. Neurology and trauma. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2006. p. 95–128.
   Google Scholar
• Hoffman JM, Lucas S, Dikmen S, et al. Natural history of headache after traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma. 2011;28(9):1719–1725.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Evans RW. Persistent post-traumatic headache, postconcussion syndrome, and whiplash injuries: the evidence for a non-traumatic basis with an historical review. Headache. 2010;50(4):716–724.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Butler IJ. Postconcussion syndrome after mild traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents requires further detailed study. JAMA Neurol. 2013;70(5):636–637.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kolias AG, Guilfoyle MR, Helmy A, et al. Traumatic brain injury in adults. Pract Neurol. 2013;13(4):228–235.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Roper LS, Nightingale P, Su Z, et al. Disability from posttraumatic headache is compounded by coexisting posttraumatic stress disorder. J Pain Res. 2017;10:1991–1996.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Minen MT, Begasse De Dhaem O, Kroon Van Diest A, et al. Migraine and its psychiatric comorbidities. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2016;87(7):741–749.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kjeldgaard D, Forchhammer H, Teasdale T, et al. Chronic post-traumatic headache after mild head injury: a descriptive study. Cephalalgia. 2014;34(3):191–200.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lutman B, Bloom J, Nussenblatt B, et al. A contemporary perspective on the management of post-craniotomy headache and pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018;22(10):69.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Theeler BJ, Erickson JC. Mild head trauma and chronic headaches in returning US soldiers. Headache. 2009;49(4):529–534.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lucas S, Hoffman JM, Bell KR, et al. Characterization of headache after traumatic brain injury. Cephalalgia. 2012;32(8):600–606.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ashina H, Iljazi A, Amin FM, et al. Interrelations between migraine-like headache and persistent post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury: a prospective diary study. J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):134.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stacey A, Lucas S, Dikmen S, et al. Natural history of headache five years after traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma. 2017;34(8):1558–1564.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lieba-Samal D, Platzer P, Seidel S, et al. Characteristics of acute posttraumatic headache following mild head injury. Cephalalgia. 2011;31(16):1618–1626.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schwedt TJ, Chong CD, Peplinski J, et al. Persistent post-traumatic headache vs. migraine: an MRI study demonstrating differences in brain structure. J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):87.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Chong CD, Berisha V, Chiang CC, et al. Less cortical thickness in patients with persistent post-traumatic headache compared with healthy controls: an MRI study. Headache. 2018;58(1):53–61.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Barkhoudarian G, Hovda DA, Giza CC. The molecular pathophysiology of concussive brain injury – an update. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2016;27:373–393.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hill CS, Coleman MP, Menon DK. Traumatic axonal injury: mechanisms and translational opportunities. Trends Neurosci. 2016;39:311–324.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Strong AJ, Fabricius M, Boutelle MG, et al. Spreading and synchronous depressions of cortical activity in acutely injured human brain. Stroke. 2002;33(12):2738–2743.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bartsch T, Goadsby PJ. Increased responses in trigeminocervical nociceptive neurons to cervical input after stimulation of the dura mater. Brain. 2003;126(8):1801–1813.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Piovesan EJ, Kowacs PA, Oshinsky ML. Convergence of cervical and trigeminal sensory afferents. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2003;7(5):377–383.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hilz MJ, Liu M, Koehn J, et al. Valsalva maneuver unveils central baroreflex dysfunction with altered blood pressure control in persons with a history of mild traumatic brain injury. BMC Neurol. 2016;16:61.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Olesen J, Burstein R, Ashina M, et al. Origin of pain in migraine: evidence for peripheral sensitisation. Lancet Neurol. 2009;8(7):679–690.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Piantino J, Lim MM, Newgard CD, et al. Linking traumatic brain injury, sleep disruption and post-traumatic headache: a potential role for glymphatic pathway dysfunction. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2019;23(9):62.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Navratilova E, Rau J, Oyarzo J, et al. CGRP-dependent and independent mechanisms of acute and persistent post-traumatic headache following mild traumatic brain injury in mice. Cephalalgia. 2019;39(14):1762–1775.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yuan H, Spare NM, Silberstein SD. Targeting CGRP for the prevention of migraine and cluster headache: a narrative review. Headache. 2019;59:20–32.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ashina H, Iljazi A, Al-Khazali HM, et al. Hypersensitivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide in post-traumatic headache. Ann Neurol. 2020;88(6):1220–1228.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mitsikostas DD, Moskowitz MA. Making headway – a role for CGRP in post-traumatic headache. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020 Nov 16. doi:10.1038/s41582-020-00431-2.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med. 2009;6:1000100.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, et al. Preferred reporting 536 items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev. 2015;4:1.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Argyriou AA, Vikelis M, Mantovani E, et al. Recently available and emerging therapeutic strategies for the acute and prophylactic management of cluster headache: a systematic review and expert opinion. Expert Rev Neurother. 2020 Nov 26. doi:10.1080/14737175.2021.1857240.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, et al. editors. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions 2nd ed. Chichester (UK):John Wiley & Sons; 2019. Available from: www.training.cochrane.org/handbook.
   Google Scholar
• Ouzzani M, Hammady H, Fedorowicz Z, et al. Rayyan – a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Syst Rev. 2016;5:210.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leung A, Shukla S, Fallah A, et al. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in managing mild traumatic brain injury-related headaches. Neuromodulation. 2016;19(2):133–141.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leung A, Metzger-Smith V, He Y, et al. Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex rTMS in alleviating MTBI related headaches and depressive symptoms. Neuromodulation. 2018;21(4):390–401.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Nelson DV, Esty ML. Neurotherapy for chronic headache following traumatic brain injury. Mil Med Res. 2015;2:22.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jonas WB, Bellanti DM, Paat CF, et al. A randomized exploratory study to evaluate two acupuncture methods for the treatment of headaches associated with traumatic brain injury. Med Acupunct. 2016;28(3):113–130.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rytter HM, Westenbaek K, Henriksen H, et al. Specialized interdisciplinary rehabilitation reduces persistent post-concussive symptoms: a randomized clinical trial. Brain Inj. 2019;33(3):266–281.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Silverberg ND. Behavioral treatment for post-traumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury: rationale and case series. NeuroRehabilitation. 2019;44(4):523–530.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stilling JM, Duszynski CC, Oni I, et al. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to study the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in concussion: a two-patient case study. Front Neurol. 2019;10:476.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ptito A, Papa L, Gregory K, et al. A prospective, multicenter study to assess the safety and efficacy of translingual neurostimulation plus physical therapy for the treatment of a chronic balance deficit due to mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury. Neuromodulation. 2020 Apr 29. doi:10.1111/ner.13159.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Usmani S, Balcer L, Galetta S, et al. Feasibility of smartphone-delivered progressive muscle relaxation in persistent post-traumatic headache patients. J Neurotrauma. 2020 Aug 26;38(1):94–101.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Villafañe JH, Perucchini D, Cleland JA, et al. The effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral exercise approach (CBEA) compared to usual care in patients with a whiplash associated disorder: a quasi-experimental clinical trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(5):943–950.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Landén Ludvigsson M, Peterson G, Widh S, et al. Exercise, headache, and factors associated with headache in chronic whiplash: analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(48):e18130.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rosner MS, Feinberg DL, Doble JE, et al. Treatment of vertical heterophoria ameliorates persistent post-concussive symptoms: a retrospective analysis utilizing a multi-faceted assessment battery. Brain Inj. 2016;30(3):311–317.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stilling J, Paxman E, Mercier L, et al. Treatment of persistent post-traumatic headache and post-concussion symptoms using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: a pilot, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Neurotrauma. 2020;37(2):312–323.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hershaw JN, Hill-Pearson CA, Arango JI, et al. Semi-automated neurofeedback therapy for persistent postconcussive symptoms in a military clinical setting: a feasibility study. Mil Med. 2020;185(3–4):e457–e465.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Baker VB, Eliasen KM, Hack NK. Lifestyle modifications as therapy for medication refractory post-traumatic headache (PTHA) in the military population of Okinawa. J Headache Pain. 2018;19(1):113.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• From clinicaltrials.gov. Remotely supervised tDCS for persistent post-traumatic headache: a pilot study. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04012853. [cited 2020 Dec 28]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04012853.
   Google Scholar
• From clinicaltrials.gov. Exercise in patients with post-concussion symptoms – a pilot study. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04001192. [ cited 2020 Dec 28]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04001192.
   Google Scholar
• From clinicaltrials.gov. Acupuncture treatment for chronic post-traumatic headache in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04369911. [ cited 2020 Dec 28]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04369911.
   Google Scholar
• From clinicaltrials.gov. The effectiveness of collaborative care versus usual care for pain after traumatic brain injury. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03523923. [ cited 2020 Dec 28]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03523923.
   Google Scholar
• From clinicaltrials.gov. Acceptance and commitment therapy-based rehabilitation of post-concussion symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04614922. [ cited 2020 Dec 28]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04614922.
   Google Scholar
• Lefaucheur JP, Aleman A, Baeken C, et al. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS): an update (2014-2018). Clin Neurophysiol. 2020;131:474–528.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zucchella C, Mantovani E, De Icco R, et al. Non-invasive brain and spinal stimulation for pain and related symptoms in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Front Neurosci. 2020;14:547069.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ashina H, Porreca F, Anderson T, et al. Post-traumatic headache: epidemiology and pathophysiological insights. Nat Rev Neurol. 2019;15(10):607–617.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Remigio-Baker RA, Kiser S, Ferdosi H, et al. Current patterns of primary care provider practices for the treatment of post-traumatic headache in active duty military settings. PLoS One. 2020;15(7):e0236762.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Côté P, Yu H, Shearer HM, et al. Non-pharmacological management of persistent headaches associated with neck pain: a clinical practice guideline from the Ontario protocol for traffic injury management (OPTIMa) collaboration. Eur J Pain. 2019;23(6):1051–1070.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zucchella C, Sinforiani E, Tamburin S, et al. The multidisciplinary approach to alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A narrative review of non-pharmacological treatment. Front Neurol. 2018;9:1058.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar