Postural Control in the Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with chronic tension-type headache (TTH) have abnormalities of postural control, and to disclose any frequency shift of the centre of gravity while standing upright. METHODS: Thirty patients with chronic TTH diagnosed by the International Headache Society Classification criteria and with tenderness in pericranial muscles were compared with thirty age and sex matched controls. All the subjects underwent static and computerized dynamic posturography. The spectral frequency analysis of body sway while standing upright was investigated. RESULTS: The sway distance and the sway area of center of foot pressure significantly increased in the patients with TTH. Spectral frequency analysis showed a significant increase in spectral power below the 1.00 Hz frequency band. Computerized dynamic posturography showed a decreased somatosensory ratio in the patients with TTH. The patients with good response to medical treatment showed significant improvement in the follow-up posturography. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a significant proprioceptive disturbance in TTH patients. The disturbance is likely related to chronic pericranial muscle contractions causing tenderness.