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. 2023 Mar 2;20(5):4466. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054466

Table 3.

Results of individual studies.

Study Intervention Group Main Outcomes Measurements Tools Follow-Up Period Effect Size (Cohen’sd) 95% CI (Cohen’s d) p Values
Castien et al. [83] Mobilizations of the cervical and thoracic spine, postural correction and cervical stabilization Intensity of pain Numeric Rating Scale 8 weeks 0.9 0.53 to 1.46 p = 0.003
26 weeks 0.53 0.08 to 0.97 p = 0.027
Headache frequency Personal diary (14 days) 8 weeks 1.58 1.07 to 2.08 p < 0.001
26 weeks 1.16 0.69 to 1.64 p < 0.001
Headache duration Personal diary 14 day (h/day) 8 weeks 0.56 0.12 to 1.01 p = 0.013
26 weeks 0.39 −0.05 to 0.8 p = 0.095
Ajimsha et al. [84] Direct techniques for myofascial release Headache frequency Personal diary 3 months 2.59 1.65 to 3.52 p < 0.001
Indirect techniques for myofascial release Headache frequency Personal diary 3 months 3.4 2.35 to 4.5 p < 0.001
Da Silva et al. [85] Conventional acupuncture and additional points Pain intensity Numerical Rating Scale 3 months 0.55 −0.05 to 1.16 p = 0.035
Berggreen et al. [86] Trigger points treatment Pain intensity (morning) Visual Analogical Scale Post treatment 0.66 0.014 to 1.32 p = 0.047
Pain intensity (evening) Visual Analogical Scale Post treatment 0.17 −0.46 to 0.81 p = 0.594
Espí-López et al. [87] Suboccipital soft tissue inhibition Pain severity Headache Disability Inventory. Post treatment 0.31 −0.35 to 0.93 p = 0.04
Headache frequency Headache Disability Inventory Post treatment 0.26 −0.37 to 0.91 p = 0.36
Occiput-atlas-axis manipulative treatment Pain severity Headache Disability Inventory. Post treatment 1.04 0.35 to 1.71 p = 0.004
Headache frequency Headache Disability Inventory. Post treatment 0.59 −0.08 to 1.21 p = 0.03
Combined treatment of both Pain severity Headache Disability Inventory. Post treatment 0.80 0.067 to 1.38 p = 0.01
Headache frequency Headache Disability Inventory. Post treatment 0.50 −0.012 to 1.18 p = 0.02
Moraska et al. [88] Massage and trigger point treatment = 0.026 Pain intensity Visual Analogical Scale 1 month 0.37 −0.28 to 1.03 p = 0.30
Headache frequency Interview (episodes/week) 1 month 0.54 −0.13 to 1.21 p = 0.026
Headache duration Interview (hour/episode) 1 month 0.32 −0.34 to 0.98 p = 0.49
Chassot et al. [89] Electroacupuncture Pain intensity Visual Analogical Scale Post treatment 0.63 0.05 to 1.32 p = 0.005
Espí-López et al. [90] Occiput-atlas-axis manipulation and soft tissue massage Pain severity Headache Disability Inventory Post treatment 0.38 0.0 to 0.77 p < 0.10
2 months 0.28 −0.102 to 0.68 p = 0.31
Headache frequency Headache Disability Inventory. Post treatment 0.35 0.03 to 0.75 p < 0.10
2 months 0.63 0.23 to 1.03 p < 0.01
Ferragut-Garcías et al. [91] Soft tissues techniques Pain intensity Visual Analogical Scale Post treatment 2.35 1.61 to 3.09 p < 0.001
1 month 2.47 1.71 to 3.23 p < 0.001
Headache frequency Personal diary Post treatment 0.93 0.32 to 1.53 p < 0.001
1 month 0.98 0.38 to 1.59 p < 0.001
Neural mobilization techniques Pain intensity Visual Analogical Scale Post treatment 1.27 0.65 to 1.88 p < 0.001
1 month 1.29 0.68 to1.91 p < 0.001
Headache frequency Personal diary Post treatment 1.17 0.57 to 1.78 p < 0.001
1 month 1.11 0.51 to 1.71 p < 0.001
Combined treatment of both Pain intensity Visual Analogical Scale Post treatment 2.26 1.54 to 2.98 p < 0.001
1 month 2.18 1.47 to 2.89 p < 0.001
Headache frequency Personal diary Post treatment 1.50 0.86 to2.14 p < 0.001
1 month 1.61 0.97 to 2.26 p < 0.001
Georgoudis et al. [92] Microwaves and myofascial release combined with acupuncture Pain intensity Visual Analogical Scale Post treatment 0.61 0.01 to 1.21 p < 0.05
Pérez-Llanes et al. [93] Combined treatment with suboccipital muscle inhibition and interferential current Intensity of pain Numeric Rating Scale 4 weeks 1.13 - p = 0.18
Schiller et al. [94] (*) Acupuncture Pain intensity Verbal Rating Scale 3 months 0.83 - p = 0.24
6 months 0.44 - -
Frequency of headache Personal diary (days/month) 3 months 0.14 - -
6 months 0.33 - p = 0.01
Duration of headache Personal diary (hours/month) 3 months 0.14 - -
6 months 0.14 - -
Medical training therapy Pain intensity Verbal Rating Scale 3 months 0.33 - p = 0.67
6 months 0.88 - -
Frequency of headache Personal diary (days/month) 3 months 0.69 - -
6 months 0.14 - p = 0.01
Duration of headache Personal diary (hours/month) 3 months 0.25 - -
6 months 0.01 - -
Combination of acupuncture and medical training Pain intensity Verbal Rating Scale 3 months 1.25 - p = 0.012
6 months 0.29 - -
Frequency of headache Personal diary (days/month) 3 months 0.37 - -
6 months 0.03 - p = 0.04
Duration of headache Personal diary (hours/month) 3 months 0.05 - -
6 months 0.34 - -
Corum et al. [95] High-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation Headache frequency Personal diary (days/2-week) Post treatment 1.58 - p < 0.05
3 months 1.32 - p < 0.05
Pain intensity Visual Analogue Scale Post treatment 2.77 - p < 0.05
3 months 1.99 - p < 0.05
Suboccipital inhibition Headache frequency Personal diary (days/2-week) Post treatment 0.64 - p < 0.05
3 months 0.48 - p < 0.05
Pain intensity Visual Analogue Scale Post treatment 1.07 - p < 0.05
3 months 0.6 - p < 0.05
Gopichandran et al. [96] Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and deep breathing exercises Pain intensity Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale 4 weeks 1.7 - p < 0.001
8 weeks 2.27 - p < 0.001
12 weeks 2.99 - p < 0.001
Runa et al. [97] Moxibustion at temples combined with Deanxit Pain intensity Visual Analogue Score Post treatment 8.35 - p < 0.05
Frequency of tension type headache Interview Post treatment 1.81 - p < 0.05
Duration of tension type headache Interview Post treatment 2.83 - p < 0.05

(*) Data after 3 and 6 months, comparing them with control group.