Effects of Exercise and Relaxation Techniques on Tension Headache Pain Parameters of University Students

EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES ON TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE PAIN PARAMETERS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS; A RANDOMIZED AND CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Tension headache is a common disabling disease and a worldwide public health problem. This research tries to demonstrate the efficacy of physical therapy, based on cervical training and postural self-correction instructions, which aims to increase the positive results obtained from traditional relaxation techniques (Schultz Autogenic Training). University students are selected, because headaches are very common in this sector of the population. The design is a non-pharmacological randomized controlled trial, with blinded evaluation of the response variables. The investigators compare two independent samples. One of them receives an only treatment (Autogenic Training) and the other group receives a combined program (Autogenic Training + specific cervical exercises and postural correction). Pain parameters (frequency, intensity and duration) and drug consumption are measured before treatment, and then, at 4 weeks and 3 months, to value the results.

Inclusion Criteria:

• College students of Complutense University of Madrid, diagnosed with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headache (according to the criteria of International Headache Society (IHS)).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cases with other headaches
• Students with excessive state anxiety and / or trait anxiety (≥ 85 percentile, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory )
• Students that had received treatment for tension headache, based on physical exercise or relaxation techniques, in the last 6 months.