← Back to Search

Manipulation & Dry Needling vs. Mobilization & Massage for Tension Headaches

N/A
Recruiting
Led By James Dunning, DPT PhD
Research Sponsored by Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Patient must be between 18 and 65 years old
Patient must have headaches that meet the criteria for Frequent Episodic Tension-type Headaches or Chronic Tension-type Headaches as described
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, 3-months
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial is comparing two different approaches to treating tension-type headaches, to see if one is more effective than the other.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults aged 18-65 with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches and tenderness around the head. Participants must not have had recent neck/head treatments, surgery, trauma, or conditions like fibromyalgia. Pregnant individuals or those involved in related litigation are excluded.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study compares two headache treatment methods: one combines thrust manipulation, electric dry needling and exercise; the other uses non-thrust mobilization, soft-tissue work, exercise and TENS (a type of electrical nerve stimulation).See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects may include soreness at manipulation sites, skin irritation from dry needling or TENS pads, temporary increase in headache pain following treatment sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I am between 18 and 65 years old.
Select...
I have frequent or chronic tension headaches.
Select...
I have frequent headaches with scalp tenderness.
Select...
I have chronic headaches with tenderness around my head.
Select...
I experience tension-type headaches.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, 3-months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 3-months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Change in Headache Intensity (NPRS)
Secondary outcome measures
Change in GROC (Global Rating of Change score)
Change in Headache Disability Inventory
Change in Headache Duration
+2 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: thrust manipulation, electric dry needling and exerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
thrust manipulation, electric dry needling and exercise
Group II: non-thrust Mobilization, Soft-Tissue Mobilization, Exercise and TENSActive Control1 Intervention
non-thrust mobilization, soft-tissue mobilization, exercise and TENS

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Alabama Physical Therapy & AcupunctureLead Sponsor
13 Previous Clinical Trials
1,490 Total Patients Enrolled
Universidad Rey Juan CarlosOTHER
123 Previous Clinical Trials
9,156 Total Patients Enrolled
James Dunning, DPT PhD5.01 ReviewsPrincipal Investigator - American Academy of Manipulative Therapy
Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture
2 Previous Clinical Trials
252 Total Patients Enrolled
~22 spots leftby Jun 2025
Unbiased ResultsWe believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your DataWe only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
Back to top