Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), suboccipital (SO) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles and the craniocervical posture in individuals with episodic tension-type headache (ETTH). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, non-randomized study with 60 young adults (77% female) comprising both sexes and an age range of 18-27 years. Individuals were distributed into a control group (G1) and individuals with ETTH (G2). The frequency of headaches per month was recorded. A pressure dynamometer was used to evaluate the PPT. Photogrammetry was used to evaluate the cervical lordosis (CL) and cephalic protrusion (CP). The data were statistically analyzed. Results: There were differences in the PPT, where the UT, SO and SCM muscles presented lower sensitivity to pain, respectively. The SCM muscle presented a lower PPT in G2. The CL and CP angles were significantly lower in G2. Conclusion: Individuals with ETTH exhibited a significantly lower PPT in the SCM and SO muscles than in the UT muscle. Nevertheless, individuals with ETTH presented with the SCM muscle being more sensitive to pain as well as higher CL and CP than individuals without symptomatology.
Highlights
Tension-type headache (TTH), which is one of the most frequent complaints in clinical practice,[1] generates high costs and has a considerable impact on society.[2]
In episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), the main mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis are peripheral[10]; it is extremely important to analyze these variables in individuals with ETTH
The results of the pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the bilateral ECM muscle were significantly lower in G2 than in G1 (p
Summary
Tension-type headache (TTH), which is one of the most frequent complaints in clinical practice,[1] generates high costs and has a considerable impact on society.[2]. The pathogenesis of TTH is still unclear[1]; studies have suggested that the involvement of nociceptive inputs from the cervical region is the primary cause of TTH.[5] The peripheral myofascial receptors, the ineffectiveness of the central regulation of pain and segmental structures are involved in the pathophysiology of TTH but are dependent on the frequency of headache and on the particularities of each individual.[6]. The skeletal muscles of the cervical region[7,8] and the craniocervical posture[9] have been the focus of studies aimed at understanding the pathophysiology and therapeutics of TTH. In episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), the main mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis are peripheral[10]; it is extremely important to analyze these variables in individuals with ETTH
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