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Published on: June 2, 2014
Neurodynamic responses in children with migraine or cervicogenic headache versus a control group. A comparative study
Harry J M von Piekartz1, Sara Schouten, Geert Aufdemkampe
1Department of Rehabilitation Science and Physiotherapy for Craniofacial Dysfunction and Pain, Stobbenkamp 10, 7631 CP Ootmarsum, The Netherlands. harryvonpiekartz@home.nl
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Headaches in children are increasingly common, particularly during growth spurts.
- The Long Sitting Slump (LSS) test is a potential tool for assessing neurodynamics in pediatric populations.
- Understanding headache triggers and mechanisms in children is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in cervical flexion and sensory responses during the LSS test among children with migraine, cervicogenic headache, and controls.
- To compare the intensity and location of sensory responses in pediatric headache groups versus a healthy control group.
- To evaluate the relationship between headache type and specific neurodynamic findings in children.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 123 children aged 6-12 years.
- Utilized the Long Sitting Slump (LSS) test to assess neurodynamics, including cervical flexion and sensory responses (intensity, location).
- Grouped participants into primary headache (migraine), secondary headache (cervicogenic), and control groups.
Main Results:
- Sensory response intensity was significantly higher in both headache groups (migraine and cervicogenic) compared to the control group.
- Leg responses were common in the migraine group (81.9%), while spine responses were prevalent in the cervicogenic headache group (80%).
- Significant differences in sacrum position and cervical flexion ranges were observed between the cervicogenic headache group and both the migraine and control groups.
Conclusions:
- The LSS test reveals distinct neurodynamic patterns in children with different headache types.
- Cervicogenic headaches in children are associated with greater limitations in cervical flexion compared to migraine and controls.
- These findings suggest the LSS test can aid in differentiating pediatric headache etiologies and guiding management strategies.
Abstract:
Headache in children with unknown aetiology is an increasing phenomenon in industrial countries, especially during growth spurts. During this growth phase, the Long Sitting Slump (LSS) can be a useful tool for measurement of neurodynamics and management. This study investigated the difference in cervical flexion and sensory responses (intensity and location) during the LSS tests in children (n=123) aged 6-12 years, between a migraine (primary headache group=PG), cervicogenic headache (secondary headache group=SG) and control group (CG). The results indicated that the intensities of the sensory response rate were highest in the PG and SG when compared to CG. The responses in the legs were predominantly found in the PG (81.9%) and responses in the spine in the SG (80%). The sacrum position varied significantly between both headache groups (PG and SG) and the CG (p<0.0001), but there was no significant difference between the CG and the PG (p>0.05). No significant difference in the neck flexion range was measured in LSS, nor in standardized knee flexion between the PG and CG (p>0.05). The cervical flexion ranges differed significantly (p<0.0001) between the SG on the one hand and the PG and CG on the other. The biggest difference in neck flexion during knee extension was between the SG and CG.
