IMR Press / JIN / Volume 22 / Issue 5 / DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2205126
Open Access Systematic Review
The Efficacy of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Approaches in Chronic Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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1 Spine Health Unit, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
2 Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey
3 Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, 60000 Tokat, Turkey
4 Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin University, 33343 Mersin, Turkey
5 Department of Neurology, Algology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Mersin University School of Medicine, 33343 Mersin, Turkey
6 Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
*Correspondence: dilaraonan@gmail.com (Dilara Onan)
J. Integr. Neurosci. 2023, 22(5), 126; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2205126
Submitted: 29 May 2023 | Revised: 12 July 2023 | Accepted: 24 July 2023 | Published: 16 August 2023
Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: Pharmacological treatment is the primary approach in chronic migraine (CM), although non-drug interventions such as physical therapy are used as adjunct treatments. We aimed to review the efficacy of physical therapy and rehabilitation approaches for CM and their impact on quality of life (QoL) and disability. Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with CM. The primary outcomes were changes in intensity, frequency, duration of headache, disability, and QoL. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Data synthesis and quantitative analysis were conducted on relevant studies. Results: Seven RCTs were included in the narrative review, and five of them were eligible for quantitative analysis. Aerobic exercise (AE), osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), occipital transcutaneous electrical stimulation (OTES), acupressure, hydrotherapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (FPNF), and connective tissue massage (CTM) were used in CM. AE combined with pharmacological therapy reduced the frequency, duration, and intensity of headache. OMT combined with medication improved QoL and reduced disability, intensity of pain, and migraine days per month. Hydrotherapy combined with medication also resulted in improvements in the intensity of headache, frequency, and overall QoL. IASTM and OTES reduced the intensity of headache, alleviated neck pain, and improved QoL, although there were conflicting findings following OTES alone on disability and intensity of headache. Both FPNF and CTM reduced the intensity of headache. Acupressure as an adjunct to medication did not show additional benefits on the intensity of headache and QoL. Quantitative analysis of the data showed that manual physical therapy combined with medication reduced the intensity of headache (p = 0.0796), and manual or AE combined with medication reduced the headache days per month (p = 0.047). Conclusions: A limited number of RCTs investigating the efficacy of physical therapy and rehabilitation approaches show promise in improving headache symptoms, reducing disability, and enhancing QoL in CM. Meta-analysis of the data also supported favorable outcomes for both intensity and headache days per month. Further research is needed to better understand the efficacy, optimal duration, and safety of physical therapy and rehabilitation approaches for CM, and to explore alternative interventions.

Keywords
chronic migraine
physical therapy
rehabilitation
exercise
manual therapy
intensity of headache
headache frequency
disability
quality of life
randomized controlled trials
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