Effects of Muscle Energy Technique in Patients with Tension Type Headache; A Randomized Control Clnicial Trial

Background: Tension type headache is claimed to be one of top ten disabling conditions in the world. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of muscle energy technique on pain, range of motion at cervical spine and disability related to tension type headache. Methods: : A randomized control trial was conducted on 48 participants of both genders whose age was 18 to 40 years with complain of tension type at Rehabilitation and Injury Management Department of Medcare International Hospital Gujranwala, from July to December 2019. Participants were randomly selected and allocated into two groups (experimental and control group). The experimental group received both muscle energy technique and myofascial release technique on trapezius and sternocleidomastoid of both sides. The intervention was applied for 6 weeks (3 sessions per week). Assessments were done at baseline, 4th week and 6 th week. Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Headache disability inventory (HDI), headache impact test (HIT) and cervical range of motion with the help of Inclinometer were tools for assessment. Data analysis was done using SPSS (version 21). Results: : The mean age of experimental group was 26.5±5.42 and control group was 27.7±5.70. The experimental group was shown significant improvement in terms of pain and flexion and side flexion range of motion with p-value ≤0.05. Conclusion: It is concluded that muscle energy technique is effective treatment for tension type headache; it is associated to decreased range of motion at cervical spine and disability related to TTH. Trial registration: IRCT20190121042445N2, Registered 07-02-2021.