Effect of high-velocity low-amplitude thrust manipulation of upper cervical spine on pulmonary function test and headache disability index in patients with migraine headache

Abstract

Introduction. Migraine is a common debilitating disorder of neurovascular origin which affects younger adults, especially women. Material and Methods. It was an experimental study design. A convenience type of sampling was used for recruitment of the subjects. A total of 21 participants diagnosed with migraine (6 males and 15 females) fulfilling the inclusion criteria were taken for this study and assigned to one of the two groups (experimental or control group). PFT measured with PFT apparatus (Spirolab 111, Serial No. A23-053 13974) and HDI score were calculated before the start of the intervention and after the intervention. Afterwards, PFT was performed by each participant followed by HVLA thrust manipulations to the migraine patients and an equal period of rest to the control group. Results. There are no significant differences between baseline and post-intervention outcome variables and in mean changes between the two groups. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the change in HDI score which was calculated three times (pre- prior to intervention, post- after the intervention and 1 month after the intervention). The experimental group showed a significant reduction in the score after the manipulation. It was found that FVC and PEF were positively correlated to FEV1, and FVC was also positively correlated to PEF. Conclusions. The findings of the study revealed that high-velocity thrust manipulations of upper cervical spine were not effective in improving pulmonary functions of migraine patients although it was found effective in improving subjective symptoms of the patients evaluated through HDI.