Effects of Thai traditional massage on pressure pain threshold and headache intensity in patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of Thai traditional massage (TTM) on pressure pain threshold and headache intensity in patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches.
Results Summary
TTM significantly increased pressure pain threshold compared to sham ultrasound, with sustained effects at follow-up. Both groups showed reduced headache intensity, but no significant differences were found between TTM and sham ultrasound for this outcome.
Population
72 participants with chronic tension-type or migraine headaches for at least 3 months.
Effective Dosage
Nine sessions over 3 weeks.
Duration
3 weeks of treatment, with follow-ups at 3 and 9 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thai traditional massage (TTM) | increase | pressure pain threshold (PPT) | patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches | - | showed a significant increase | #1 |
Thai traditional massage (TTM) | increase | PPT | patients with chronic headaches | - | could increase | #2 |
Thai traditional massage (TTM) | decrease | headache intensity | patients with chronic headaches | - | reduce | #3 |
Thai traditional massage (TTM) | decrease | headache intensity | patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches | - | decreased significantly | #4 |
sham ultrasound | decrease | headache intensity | patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches | - | decreased significantly | #5 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Thai traditional massage (TTM) on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and headache intensity in patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial of TTM compared with the sham ultrasound (nine sessions each) during a 3-week period. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two participants who had had a headache diagnosis for at least 3 months before the experiment was recruited. RESULTS: After the treatment and at 3 and 9 weeks of follow-up, the TTM group showed a significant increase in PPT (p<0.01) compared with the sham ultrasound group. PPT values at baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, and at 3- and 9-week follow-up for the TTM group were 2.71 ± 1.22, 3.57 ± 1.41, 3.72 ± 1.46, and 3.42 ± 1.46 pounds/cm(2), respectively; values in the sham ultrasound group were 2.85 ± 1.20, 2.62 ± 1.07, 2.58 ± 1.05 and 2.63 ± 0.94 pounds/cm(2). In both groups, headache intensity decreased significantly (p<0.05) at every end point of the outcome measures, and there were no differences between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TTM could increase PPT and reduce headache intensity, suggesting that this is a possible alternative treatment for chronic headaches.