Manual joint mobilisation techniques, supervised physical activity, psychological treatment, acupuncture and patient education for patients with tension-type headache. A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The study aimed to review the evidence for non-pharmacological treatments, including psychological treatment (potentially including mindfulness), for tension-type headache (TTH) on headache frequency and quality of life.
Results Summary
Psychological treatment might have a positive effect on stress symptoms at the end of treatment, but the overall certainty of evidence was low or very low.
Population
Individuals with tension-type headache (TTH).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acupuncture | decrease | days with headache | patients with tension-type headache | - | might have positive effects | #1 |
Acupuncture | increase | quality of life | patients with tension-type headache | - | might have positive effects | #2 |
Supervised physical activity | decrease | pain intensity | patients with tension-type headache | - | might have a positive effect | #3 |
Supervised physical activity | decrease | headache frequency | patients with tension-type headache | - | might have a positive effect | #4 |
Manual joint mobilisation techniques | decrease | headache frequency | patients with tension-type headache | - | might have a positive effect | #5 |
Manual joint mobilisation techniques | increase | quality of life | patients with tension-type headache | - | might have a positive effect | #6 |
Psychological treatment | decrease | stress symptoms | patients with tension-type headache | - | might have a positive effect | #7 |
BACKGROUND: Tension-type headache (TTH) has been ranked the second most prevalent health condition worldwide. Non-pharmacological treatments for TTH are widely used as a supplement or an alternative to medical treatment. However, the evidence for their effects are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the evidence for manual joint mobilisation techniques, supervised physical activity, psychological treatment, acupuncture and patient education as treatments for TTH on the effect of headache frequency and quality of life. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted from February to July 2020 for clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and individual randomised controlled trials (RCT). The primary outcomes measured were days with headache and quality of life at the end of treatment along with a number of secondary outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed on eligible RCTs and pooled estimates of effects were calculated using the random-effect model. The overall certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach (GRADE). In addition, patient preferences were included in the evaluation. RESULTS: In all, 13 RCTs were included. Acupuncture might have positive effects on both primary outcomes. Supervised physical activity might have a positive effect on pain intensity at the end of treatment and headache frequency at follow-up. Manual joint mobilisation techniques might have a positive effect on headache frequency and quality of life at follow-up. Psychological treatment might have a positive effect on stress symptoms at the end of treatment. No relevant RCTs were identified for patient education. The overall certainty of evidence was downgraded to low and very low. No serious adverse events were reported. A consensus recommendation was made for patient education and weak recommendations for the other interventions. CONCLUSION: Based on identified benefits, certainty of evidence, and patient preferences, manual joint mobilisation techniques, supervised physical activity, psychological treatment, acupuncture, and patient education can be considered as non-pharmacological treatment approaches for TTH. Some positive effects were shown on headache frequency, quality of life, pain intensity and stress symptoms. Few studies and low sample sizes posed a challenge in drawing solid conclusions. Therefore, high-quality RCTs are warranted.