Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Sciences

Background: Physical Therapists may use Graston technique to relieve soft-tissue restrictions and pain in the upper cervical region. However, up to the authors{u2019} knowledge, no studies have examined the efficacy of Graston technique in patient with cervicogenic headache. Objectives: To investigate the effect of adding Graston technique to exercise program on pain intensity, neck disabilities, cervical range of motion, headache frequency and duration, and medication intake in subjects with cervicogenic headache. Materials and Methods: The study design is a single-blinded, Parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients from 35 to 50 years old, with cervicogenic headache were participated in the study. Participants were recruited from outpatient clinics of Tala General Hospital in Menoufia governorate. Patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Patients in the experimental group received Graston technique in addition to a conventional physical therapy program, while patients in the control group received conventional physical therapy program only. The outcome measures were visual analogue scale, neck disability index, cervical range of motion, headache frequency and duration, and medication intake. Results: After 2 weeks of treatment, there were statistically significant differences in all outcome measures (p< 0.05) in favor of the study group except for neck extension. After 4 weeks of treatment, there were statistically significant differences in all outcome measures (p< 0.05) in favor of the study group

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