The effects of BLT to the cervical spine on cervicogenic headaches, a controlled crossover study.
Item
- Title
- The effects of BLT to the cervical spine on cervicogenic headaches, a controlled crossover study.
- Author(s)
- Smith, R
- Abstract
- Background: Many patients suffer from CGH and research supports the use of various treatments in effectively improving patient's symptoms. However, there is a severe lack of published research into the effects of BLT to the cervical spine on CGH. Objective: To investigate the effects of BLT to the cervical spine on CGH in comparison to control. Design: A controlled, crossover study. Methods: Students with CGH who met the inclusion criteria set by the researcher and the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria were recruited from the European School of Osteopathy (ESQ). The participants were divided into two groups and they each received either BLT or control once a week for three weeks before receiving the other intervention once a week for a further three weeks. Participants recorded the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), intensity, duration and frequency of their headaches a day before treatment, at the end of the day after treatment and 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment. Data was statistically analysed using Mann- Whitney U statistical test. Results: From the sample of eight students with CGH, there was a statistically significant improvement in the intensity of CGH at 24 hours post treatment and in the duration of CGH at 24 and 48 hours post treatment. Although there was no statistically significant improvement in the NRS or frequency of cervicogenic headaches, the general trend shows that there is a greater decrease in the BLT phase in comparison to control. Discussion: There is a lack of published research into BLT and research into the effects of BLT to the cervical spine on CGH is non-existent. Whilst general trends show an improvement in the symptoms of CGH in the BLT group, it is difficult to generalise these results outside the sample used due to its limited diversity and small sample size. Conclusion: Although not all results are statistically significant, the general trend suggests that BLT to the cervical spine is potentially effective in improving the NRS, intensity, duration and frequency of cervicogenic headaches. Further research is recommended using a larger sample to be able to generalise the results to the population. It would also be useful to repeat the study over a longer time frame to be able to analyse the sustained effects of treatment.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2016
- Date Submitted
- 2.12.2016 17:29:04
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15963
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- BLT, Cervicogenic headaches, control, osteopathy.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Smith, R, “The effects of BLT to the cervical spine on cervicogenic headaches, a controlled crossover study.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/518