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Central and peripheral mechanisms in chronic tension-type headache
Gay L Lipchik1, Kenneth A Holroyd, Christopher R France
1Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
Pain
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Pericranial muscle tenderness is an early indicator in tension headache development, distinguishing headache sufferers from controls. Exteroceptive suppression of masseter muscle activity (ES2) appears later in the disorder’s progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Headache Research
Background:
- Tension-type headache (TTH) is a common neurological disorder.
- Understanding the pathophysiology of TTH is crucial for effective treatment.
- Exteroceptive suppression of masseter muscle activity (ES2) and pericranial muscle tenderness are potential biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic utility of ES2 and pericranial muscle tenderness in differentiating headache subtypes.
- To investigate the relationship between these measures and headache characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated ES2 and pericranial muscle tenderness in 112 young adults with chronic TTH, episodic TTH, migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and 31 healthy controls.
- Utilized International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria.
Main Results:
- Pericranial muscle tenderness significantly differentiated headache diagnostic subgroups and headache sufferers from controls.
- Chronic TTH patients showed the highest tenderness; controls had the lowest (P < 0.01).
- Tenderness was present in all chronic TTH patients, versus 52% of controls, independent of headache intensity, frequency, or chronicity.
Conclusions:
- Pericranial muscle tenderness may be an early sign in tension headache development.
- ES2 suppression appears to emerge later in the disorder's evolution.
- Muscle tenderness is a more sensitive indicator than ES2 for early TTH and differentiating headache types.