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Myofascial Trigger Points in Children With Tension-Type Headache: A New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Option

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Peter Reilich, MD

Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Andreas Straube, MD

Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Jan Schäfer, PT

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Astrid Blaschek, MD

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Seung-Hee Lee, MD

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Wolfgang Müller-Felber, MD

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Volkmar Henschel, PhD

Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Ulrich Mansmann, PhD

Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany

Florian Heinen, MD

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany, florian.heinen{at}med.uni-muenchen.de

The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a trigger point—specific physiotherapy on headache frequency, intensity, and duration in children with episodic or chronic tension-type headache. Patients were recruited from the special headache outpatient clinic. A total of 9 girls (mean age 13.1 years; range, 5-15 years) with the diagnosis of tension-type headache participated in the pilot study from May to September 2006 and received trigger point—specific physiotherapy twice a week by a trained physiotherapist. After an average number of 6.5 therapeutic sessions, the headache frequency had been reduced by 67.7%, intensity by 74.3%, and duration by 77.3%. No side effects were noted during the treatment. These preliminary findings suggest a role for active trigger points in children with tension-type headache. Trigger point—specific physiotherapy seems to be an effective therapy in these children. Further prospective and controlled studies in a larger cohort are warranted.

Key Words: tension-type headache • myofascial trigger points • physiotherapy

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 24, No. 4, 406-409 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0883073808324540


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