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Introducción: Se ha demostrado que la terapia manual reduce los síntomas autoreportados en pacientes con cefalea tensional crónica (CTC). Sin embargo, la aplicación simultánea de la técnica de inhibición muscular suboccipital y corriente interferencial no se ha investigado previamente. Este estudio evalúa la efectividad de la inhibición muscular suboccipital y la corriente interferencial en comparación con los cuidados habituales sobre el dolor, la discapacidad y el impacto de la cefalea en pacientes con CTC.MétodosLos pacientes se asignaron al azar al grupo de cuidados habituales (n = 13) o experimental (n = 12) que consistió en 20 minutos de inhibición muscular suboccipital y corriente interferencial dos veces por semana durante cuatro semanas. El resultado primario fue el dolor, y los resultados secundarios incluyeron la discapacidad producida por el dolor de cabeza y el impacto del dolor de cabeza que se valoraron por un evaluador cegado al inicio y después de cuatro semanas.ResultadosLos análisis mostraron diferencias entre los grupos a favor del grupo experimental a las cuatro semanas para la discapacidad producida por el dolor de cabeza (Neck Disability Index: g-Hedges = 1,01; p = 0,001; Headache Disability Inventory: g-Hedges = 0,48; p = 0,022) e impacto del dolor de cabeza (HIT-6: g-Hedges = 0,15; p = 0,037) pero no para el dolor autoreportado (Numerical Rating Scale: g-Hedges = 1,13; p = 0,18).ConclusionesLa aplicación simultánea de inhibición muscular suboccipital y corriente interferencial en pacientes con CTC no reduce significativamente el dolor autoreportado a las cuatro semanas. Sin embargo, mejora la discapacidad y el impacto del dolor de cabeza en la vida diaria. Estas mejoras superaron el mínimo cambio clínicamente importante de las mediciones, destacando su relevancia clínica. (AU)

Introduction: Manual therapy has been shown to reduce self-reported symptoms in patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). However, simultaneous application of suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current has not previously been investigated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of combined treatment with suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current compared to standard treatment for pain, disability, and headache impact in patients with CTTH.MethodsPatients were randomly allocated to receive either standard treatment (n = 13) or the experimental treatment (n = 12), consisting of 20 minutes of suboccipital muscle inhibition plus interferential current twice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement in pain, and secondary outcomes included improvement in headache-related disability and reduction in headache impact, which were assessed at baseline and at 4 weeks by a blinded rater.ResultsStatistical analysis showed improvements in the experimental treatment group at 4 weeks for headache-related disability (Neck Disability Index: Hedges’ g = 1.01, P = .001; and Headache Disability Inventory: Hedges’ g = 0.48, P = .022) and headache impact (6-item Headache Impact Test: Hedges’ g = 0.15, P = .037) but not for self-reported pain (numerical rating scale: Hedges’ g = 1.13, P = .18).ConclusionsCombined treatment with suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current in patients with CTTH did not significantly improve self-reported pain but did reduce disability and the impact of headache on daily life at 4 weeks. These improvements exceed the minimum clinically important difference, demonstrating the clinical relevance of our findings. (AU)

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INTRODUCTION: Manual therapy has been shown to reduce self-reported symptoms in patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). However, simultaneous application of suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current has not previously been investigated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of combined treatment with suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current compared to standard treatment for pain, disability, and headache impact in patients with CTTH. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive either standard treatment (n = 13) or the experimental treatment (n = 12), consisting of 20 minutes of suboccipital muscle inhibition plus interferential current twice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement in pain, and secondary outcomes included improvement in headache-related disability and reduction in headache impact, which were assessed at baseline and at 4 weeks by a blinded rater. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed improvements in the experimental treatment group at 4 weeks for headache-related disability (Neck Disability Index: Hedges' g = 1.01, P = .001; and Headache Disability Inventory: Hedges' g = 0.48, P = .022) and headache impact (6-item Headache Impact Test: Hedges' g = 0.15, P = .037) but not for self-reported pain (numerical rating scale: Hedges' g = 1.13, P = .18). CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current in patients with CTTH did not significantly improve self-reported pain but did reduce disability and the impact of headache on daily life at 4 weeks. These improvements exceed the minimum clinically important difference, demonstrating the clinical relevance of our findings.

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INTRODUCTION: Manual therapy has been shown to reduce self-reported symptoms in patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). However, simultaneous application of suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current has not previously been investigated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of combined treatment with suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current compared to standard treatment for pain, disability, and headache impact in patients with CTTH. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive either standard treatment (n = 13) or the experimental treatment (n = 12), consisting of 20 minutes of suboccipital muscle inhibition plus interferential current twice weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement in pain, and secondary outcomes included improvement in headache-related disability and reduction in headache impact, which were assessed at baseline and at 4 weeks by a blinded rater. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed improvements in the experimental treatment group at 4 weeks for headache-related disability (Neck Disability Index: Hedges' g = 1.01, P = .001; and Headache Disability Inventory: Hedges' g = 0.48, P = .022) and headache impact (6-item Headache Impact Test: Hedges' g = 0.15, P = .037) but not for self-reported pain (numerical rating scale: Hedges' g = 1.13, P = .18). CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current in patients with CTTH did not significantly improve self-reported pain but did reduce disability and the impact of headache on daily life at 4 weeks. These improvements exceed the minimum clinically important difference, demonstrating the clinical relevance of our findings.