Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials of
Complementary/Alternative Therapies in the Treatment
of Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache

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

FROM:   Complementary Therapies in Medicine 1999 (Sep); 7 (3): 142—155

Vernon H, McDermaid CS, Hagino C.

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College,
Toronto, Canada.

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OBJECTIVES:   To conduct a systematic review of the randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of complementary/alternative (CAM) therapies in the treatment of non-migrainous headache (i.e. excluding migraine, cluster and organic headaches).

DESIGN:   Systematic review with quality scoring and evidence tables.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:   Number of RCTs per therapy, quality scores, evidence tables.

RESULTS:   Twenty-four RCTs were identified in the categories of acupuncture, spinal manipulation, electrotherapy, physiotherapy, homeopathy and other therapies. Headache categories included tension-type (under various names pre-1988), cervicogenic and post-traumatic. Quality scores for the RCT reports ranged from approximately 30 to 80 on a 100 point scale.

CONCLUSION:   RCTs for CAM therapies of the treatment of non-migrainous headache exist in the literature and demonstrate that clinical experimental studies of these forms of headache can be conducted. Evidence from a sub-set of high quality studies indicates that some CAM therapies may be useful in the treatment of these common forms of headache.

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