Myofascial trigger points in children with tension-type headache: a new diagnostic and therapeutic option

J Child Neurol. 2009 Apr;24(4):406-9. doi: 10.1177/0883073808324540.

Abstract

The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a trigger point-specific physiotherapy on headache frequency, intensity, and duration in children with episodic or chronic tension-type headache. Patients were recruited from the special headache outpatient clinic. A total of 9 girls (mean age 13.1 years; range, 5-15 years) with the diagnosis of tension-type headache participated in the pilot study from May to September 2006 and received trigger point-specific physiotherapy twice a week by a trained physiotherapist. After an average number of 6.5 therapeutic sessions, the headache frequency had been reduced by 67.7%, intensity by 74.3%, and duration by 77.3%. No side effects were noted during the treatment. These preliminary findings suggest a role for active trigger points in children with tension-type headache. Trigger point-specific physiotherapy seems to be an effective therapy in these children. Further prospective and controlled studies in a larger cohort are warranted.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Massage / methods
  • Massage / statistics & numerical data
  • Muscle Stretching Exercises / methods
  • Muscle Stretching Exercises / statistics & numerical data
  • Muscle Tonus / physiology
  • Myofascial Pain Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Myofascial Pain Syndromes / epidemiology*
  • Myofascial Pain Syndromes / therapy*
  • Neck Muscles / pathology
  • Neck Muscles / physiopathology
  • Observer Variation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Tension-Type Headache / diagnosis
  • Tension-Type Headache / epidemiology*
  • Tension-Type Headache / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome