Role of Cervical Alignment-Specific Exercises in Cervicogenic Headache- An Open Label - Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Cervicogenic headache sufferers complain of headache and neck pain. They present with changes in biomechanics of cervical spine. This study aims to find the role of alignment specific exercises in cervicogenic headache. Study Method: After ethical clearance and informed consent, 60 eligible subjects were allocated based on sagittal radiograph into 3 groups 1.Straightened spine, 2. Kyphotic spine and 3. Normally aligned spine. Examination includes neck range of motion, numeric pain rating scale, neck disability scores and cervical core endurance. They had alignment specific exercises and assessed on day 1, end of 4th and 6th weeks. Results: Out of 60 subjects, 24 had a straightened spine while 19 had normal and 17 had kyphotic spines. At end of 6 weeks, all groups responded to individualized treatment. The straightened spine group had an improvement in all parameters except the Craniocervical flexion test score which was better in the normal group. Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Neck Disability Index reduced significantly. Performance index of Craniocervical flexion test and Range of Motion improved in all. The percentage of test positives in Cervical Flexion Rotation Test dropped in all the groups. Conclusion: The study concludes that alignment specific exercises have a significant role in decreasing the severity of cervicogenic headaches. Each group individually had good improvements but between groups the response was statistically not different.