Restricted neck mobility in children with chronic tension type headache: a blinded, controlled study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Pain Management

Background:

• Chronic tension type headache (CTTH) is a common condition in children.
• Limited research exists on the specific biomechanical factors contributing to CTTH in pediatric populations.
• Cervical spine mobility is a potential, yet under-explored, factor in pediatric headaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare neck mobility between children diagnosed with CTTH and age-matched healthy controls.
• To investigate the relationship between cervical range of motion (CROM) and headache characteristics (intensity, frequency, duration) in children with CTTH.

Main Methods:

• Fifty children with CTTH and 50 healthy children were assessed for cervical range of motion using a cervical goniometer.
• Participants completed a 4-week headache diary to confirm diagnosis and track headache parameters.
• An independent assessor, blinded to the children's condition, performed the CROM measurements.

Main Results:

• Children with CTTH demonstrated significantly reduced CROM in flexion, extension, and lateral-flexion compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001).
• No significant differences in CROM were observed for rotational movements.
• Cervical range of motion was not correlated with headache intensity, frequency, or duration in children with CTTH.
• Age and gender did not significantly influence CROM in either group.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the hypothesis that impaired cervical spine mobility is associated with CTTH in children.
• The cervical spine warrants further investigation as a potential contributing factor in the development and maintenance of pediatric CTTH.
• Future research should aim to elucidate the precise role of cervical mechanics in the pathophysiology of CTTH.