Cervicogenic Headache in the General Population:
The Akershus Study of Chronic Headache

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Cephalalgia. 2010 (Dec);   30 (12):   1468–1476

Heidi Knackstedt, Dalius Bansevicius, Kjersti Aaseth, Ragnhild Berling Grande,
Christofer Lundqvist, and Michael Bjørn Russell

Innlandet Hospital,
Norway.
heidi.knackstedt@sykehuset-innlandet.no

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OBJECTIVE:   The objective was to study the prevalence of cervicogenic headache (CEH) in the general population.

METHODS:   An age- and gender-stratified random sample of 30,000 persons aged 30-44 years received a mailed questionnaire. Those with self-reported chronic headache were interviewed by neurological residents. The criteria of the Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group and the International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition, were applied.

RESULTS:   The questionnaire response rate was 71% and the participation rate of the interview was 74%. The prevalence of CEH was 0.17% in the general population, with a female preponderance. Fifty per cent had co-occurrence of medication overuse and 42% had co-occurrence of migraine.

The pericranial muscle tenderness score was significantly higher on the pain than non-pain side (p < .005). The cervical range of motion was significantly reduced compared to healthy controls (p < .005). The mean duration of cervicogenic headache (CEH) was eight years.

Based on patients' self-reports, greater occipital nerve (GON) blockage and cryotherapy was reported effective in 90% of those who had this procedure, while other treatment alternatives were reported less effective.

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