Effectiveness of kinesiotherapy for tension-type headache and chronic non-specific back pain: A prospective randomized study

Introduction . Kinesiotherapy is effective in the complex treatment of patients with tension-type headache (TTH) and patients with chronic nonspecific back pain (CNBP). However, few randomized studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of kinesiotherapy in patients with TTH and CNBP. Aim . To evaluate the effectiveness of complex treatment, including kinesiotherapy, in patients with TTH and CNBP. Materials and methods . The study included 100 patients (23 men, 77 women, mean age 38.8 ± 9.3 years). Patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received complex treatment (specialized kinesiotherapy, standard drug and non-drug therapy), group 2 – standard therapy. All patients were assessed for clinical and psychological parameters at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Results . After 3 months of treatment, the clinical effect (CE) in the treatment of TTH (decrease in headache (H) frequency by 50% or more) and CNBP (decrease in back pain (BP) intensity according to the numeric rating scale, the Oswestry questionnaire indicator by 30% or more) in group 1 was achieved by 88% of patients, which is statistically significantly (p < 0.05) greater than in group 2 (44% of patients). More than a third (36%) of patients in group 1 did not have H and BP after 3 months, while there were no such patients in group 2. After 6 months of observation, all achieved CEs were maintained in group 1, 38% of patients achieved complete remission of H and BP; in group 2, CE was maintained only in 33% of patients, and no patient showed complete regression of HB and BP. Conclusion . Complex treatment, including kinesiotherapy, in patients with TTH in combination with CNBP leads to a rapid (after 3 months) positive effect, which lasts for a long time (6 months).