MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE WITH AND WITHOUT MYOFASCIAL RELEASE IN PATIENTS WITH CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE

Abstract

Background: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a secondary headache disorder originating from cervical spine and muscular dysfunction, frequently involving the trapezius muscle. Manual therapy remains a cornerstone of conservative management, with Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release (MFR) widely used to address pain, mobility restriction, and functional impairment. While both techniques are individually effective, evidence comparing MET alone with its combination with MFR remains limited, particularly in relation to pain intensity, cervical range of motion (ROM), and disability outcomes in CGH.

Objective: To compare the effects of Muscle Energy Technique with and without Myofascial Release on pain intensity, cervical range of motion, and functional disability in patients with cervicogenic headache.

Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 40 adults aged 20–40 years diagnosed with cervicogenic headache. Participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group A received MET alone (n = 20), and Group B received MET combined with MFR (n = 20). Both groups underwent five treatment sessions over two weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cervical range of motion measured with a goniometer, and disability evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Assessments were performed at baseline and post-intervention. Statistical analysis was carried out using paired and independent t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain, cervical ROM, and disability following intervention (p < 0.05). Pain intensity in Group A decreased from 6.0 ± 0.5 to 2.8 ± 0.4, while Group B showed a greater reduction from 7.0 ± 0.4 to 1.0 ± 0.2. Disability scores improved from 26.5 ± 3.2 to 13.5 ± 1.9 in Group A and from 29.5 ± 2.0 to 8.0 ± 1.2 in Group B. Cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation improved significantly in both groups, with consistently larger gains observed in the MET plus MFR group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Both MET alone and MET combined with MFR were effective in reducing pain and improving cervical mobility and function in patients with cervicogenic headache. However, the addition of MFR to MET produced superior outcomes across all measured parameters, supporting the clinical value of addressing both muscular and myofascial dysfunction for comprehensive CGH management.