The Influence of Selected Soft-Tissue and Telerehabilitation Techniques on Headaches in Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Headaches are a very common pain syndrome. The International Headache Society distinguishes primary pains, which include, among others, migraines and tension headaches, and secondary pain. Manual techniques, including soft tissue methods, are mentioned in the literature as an effective form of pain relief, but it is ambiguous whether manual therapy is a more effective form of headache therapy than exercises improving the flexibility of soft tissues in the neck area and cervical mobility.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of selected techniques regarding working with soft tissues on headache symptoms.

Material and methods: The study included 29 people with headaches, who were randomly divided into 2 groups. The study group, subjected to soft tissue techniques, comprised 15 people (13 women and 2 men), average age was 27.73 ± 5.06 years, body height, on average, 1.70 ± 0.08 cm, body mass, on average, 64.80 ± 12.31 kg. The control group, subjected to telerehabilitation, included 14 individuals (12 women and 2 men), average age was 28.36 ± 4.88, body height, on average, 1.68 ± 0.09 m, body mass, on average, 64.93 ± 12.78 kg. Participants were enrolled in the study after completing the questionnaire in which they reported currently experiencing headaches. The HIT-6 (headache impact test) and HDI (head disability index) screening tests were used to assess pain, and the results before and after the 3-week therapy were compared. In the study group, soft tissue therapy was performed in 3 sessions, for 30 minutes, 1 week apart. The control group was assigned self-therapy through teleconsultation in the form of exercises, at least 4 times a week, once a day, for 30 minutes, aimed at improving mobility of the cervical spine and elasticity of soft tissues.

Results: In the study group, on the HIT-6 scale, the effect of pain on functioning prior to therapy was, on average, 61.87 ± 5.64, while at the end of therapy, a statistically significant decrease was observed – to an average of 48.60 ± 5.22 (p<0.001). In the control group, on the HIT-6, the effect of pain on functioning was, on average, 59.00 ± 4.10, while at the end of the therapy, a significant decrease to the mean value was observed: 53.50 ± 6.04 (p<0.01). For HDI, disability in the study group was at an average of 43.20 ± 19.78 before the therapy and 25.33 ± 14.32 (p<0.01) following the therapy. In the control group, disability before and after the therapy was 31.43 ± 17.62 and 26.57 ± 13.73, respectively (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the HDI results – 25.33 ± 14.32 for the study group and 26.57 ± 13.73 for the control group (p>0.05) after treatment.

Conclusions: Soft tissue therapy and telerehabilitation caused a significant reduction in the impact of headaches on daily functioning and disability. In the era of epidemics, telerehabilitation may be an effective treatment for headaches in young adults.

