Abstract
BackgroundMigraine is a highly disabling condition and pharmacological treatment is the gold standard. However, several patients have also positive responses to the application of different manual techniques and therapeutic exercises in terms of reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks. Nevertheless, the effects of a neck-specific exercise program have not yet been evaluated in these patients.ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of a neck-specific exercise program in reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks as compared to a sham ultrasound group.MethodsA two-armed, parallel-groups randomized controlled trial with 3 months of follow-up will be conducted. 42 individuals, both genders, aged between 18 and 55 years old with a medical diagnosis of migraine will be included. The intervention group will perform a protocol consisting of exercises for strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine. Participants within the sham ultrasound group will receive detuned ultrasound therapy in the upper trapezius muscle. Both groups will receive a weekly session for 8 weeks. The efficacy of each intervention will be measured by the frequency and intensity of migraine at a 3-months follow-up.Trial registrationThis study was registered under access code RBT-8gfv5j in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) in November 28, 2016.ConclusionThis study will aim to determine the efficacy of a neck-specific exercise program in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. If the results show that a neck-specific exercise program is effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, therapists will have a low cost and easily applicable tool to treat migraine.
Highlights
Migraine is classified as a chronic [1] and disabling disease [2] characterized by recurrent headache attacks lasting from 4 to 72 h, with a unilateral location and pulsating quality
This study will aim to determine the efficacy of a neck-specific exercise program in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks
If the results show that a neck-specific exercise program is effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, therapists will have a low cost and applicable tool to treat migraine
Summary
Design A two-armed, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed according to the CONSORT guidelines [29]. The study will be released on social media (Facebook®, Instagram®, and local university radio), and those who apply will be referred to a neurologist with at least 5 years of experience in the diagnosis of headache and migraine, who will perform the migraine diagnosis Those participants who meet all eligibility criteria will be invited to participate in the trial. The therapist responsible for data collection will be blinded to the treatment allocation group (intervention or sham ultrasound). Interventions This study will be performed to compare a neckstrengthening exercise protocol with a sham ultrasound group in migraine subjects In both groups, there will be a combination of home stretching exercises. Participants will be instructed to perform the same exercises at home, twice a day, for 10–20 min a day They will receive a guideline book containing a neck-specific exercise program, including neck muscle stretching exercises. After 30 days, the diaries will be given to the therapist responsible for the collections to transcribe the data into Excel® spreadsheets (Fig. 1)
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