Cervical-Cranial Dry Needling vs. Orthopedic Manual Therapy for Cervicogenic Headache

Description

Dry needling is a therapeutic modality used to treat a number of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Practice trends suggest it is becoming widely used by Physical Therapists to help patients manage symptoms associated with CGH, however, there is limited scientific evidence demonstrating meaningful impact for dry needling for CGH. Manual therapy (thrust and non-thrust mobilizations) to the cervical spine are well researched and have an established treatment effect for managing symptoms related to CGH. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 12 months) for patients with CGH treated with cervical-cranial dry needling or pragmatically applied orthopedic manual therapy to the cervical spine. In addition to either the cervical-cranial dry needling or manual therapy to the cervical spine, patients will also receive patient education, thoracic manipulation, and exercise.

Conditions

Cervicogenic Headache

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Dry needling is a therapeutic modality used to treat a number of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Practice trends suggest it is becoming widely used by Physical Therapists to help patients manage symptoms associated with CGH, however, there is limited scientific evidence demonstrating meaningful impact for dry needling for CGH. Manual therapy (thrust and non-thrust mobilizations) to the cervical spine are well researched and have an established treatment effect for managing symptoms related to CGH. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 12 months) for patients with CGH treated with cervical-cranial dry needling or pragmatically applied orthopedic manual therapy to the cervical spine. In addition to either the cervical-cranial dry needling or manual therapy to the cervical spine, patients will also receive patient education, thoracic manipulation, and exercise.

Comparing the Use of Cervical-Cranial Dry Needling With Orthopedic Manual Therapy to the Cervical Spine for Cervicogenic Headache: A Multi-center RCT With 1-Year Follow Up

Cervical-Cranial Dry Needling vs. Orthopedic Manual Therapy for Cervicogenic Headache

Condition
Cervicogenic Headache
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Youngstown

Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio, United States, 44406

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * 18 years or older
  • * Meets the IHS criteria for CGH
  • * Headache frequency of at least 1 per week over a period greater than 3 months.
  • * Demonstrates segmental dysfunction with passive mobility testing.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Youngstown State University,

David Griswold, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Associate Professor at Youngstown State University

Study Record Dates

2025-12-10