ABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the pressure pain threshold and the thickness of the cervical muscles in patients with tension-type headache versus healthy participants. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Universidad Europea de Madrid between May and June 2022. Adults aged 18-65 years with tension-type headache diagnosed for more than 6 months were compared to healthy controls. B-mode ultrasound imaging was employed to measure the thickness of the neck stabilizing muscles, longus colli, and multifidus at the C5 and C6 levels, respectively. pressure pain threshold measurements were assessed bilaterally in the following regions: upper trapezius, masseter, temporalis, anterior tibialis, and median nerve. RESULTS: A total of 40 participants (90% females; 36.3±12.9 years, BMI 24.2±3.7 kg/m2) participated in the study. Compared with the control group (n=20), participants in the tension-type headache group (n=20) presented statistically significant lower values in all pressure pain threshold measures. Additionally, the tension-type headache group presented statistically significant lower values in the thickness of the following muscles: right multifidus at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.3±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left multifidus at rest (1.1±0.1 cm versus 1.3±0.1 cm; p<0.001) and during contraction (1.2±0.1 cm versus 1.5±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left longus colli at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.2±0.1 cm; p=0.01) and during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.1 cm; p<0.001), and right longus colli during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.2 cm; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that patients with tension-type headache showed lower thickness and lower pressure pain threshold of cervical muscles compared to healthy controls.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is an economic, social, and health challenge. During the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown, a telematics platform for respiratory physiotherapy and mindfulness was created, aiming to reduce dyspnea and anxiety and to increase quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patient. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed on post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients, with breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision by a respiratory physiotherapist. Dyspnea on exertion (Mahler Scale), quality of life (EuroQol-5D score), and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire) were measured before and after the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: A total of 20 subjects completed the program, with a significant decrease in the measures of dyspnea on exertion (p<0.001), state anxiety (p=0.004), and trait anxiety (p=0.001) and a significant increase in quality of life (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Coronavirus disease 2019 should be treated using a multidisciplinary approach that includes respiratory rehabilitation. At present, there are few studies on respiratory rehabilitation and mindfulness in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The results of this study showed that the implementation of breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision was effective in decreasing dyspnea and anxiety and in increasing quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients during confinement.