PPIVMs for Cervicogenic Headache (NCT07617051) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
PPIVMs for Cervicogenic Headache
Jordan64 participantsStarted 2022-05-02
Plain-language summary
Cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that originates from problems in the neck, particularly the upper cervical spine. It may cause headache pain, neck pain, reduced neck movement, disability, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Physiotherapy management commonly includes therapeutic exercise and manual therapy techniques.
This randomized clinical trial examined whether adding Passive Physiological Intervertebral Movements to a structured therapeutic exercise program was more effective than therapeutic exercise alone in patients with cervicogenic headache. Participants diagnosed with cervicogenic headache were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group received Passive Physiological Intervertebral Movements targeting the upper cervical joints, in addition to therapeutic exercises. The control group received the same therapeutic exercise program without Passive Physiological Intervertebral Movements.
Both groups received eight supervised treatment sessions over four weeks, with each session lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The exercise program included cervical flexion exercises, scapular retraction, stretching exercises, and active neck mobility exercises. Participants were also encouraged to perform the exercises at home.
The study was conducted between May 2022 and August 2025 at the outpatient physiotherapy departments of Jordan University of Science and Technology and King Abdullah University Hospital. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the four-week intervention, and at three-month follow-up. The outcomes included headache pain intensity, headache frequency, neck pain intensity, neck disability, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life. These were measured using validated tools, including the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and Short Form-12 quality of life questionnaire.
The study aimed to determine whether adding Passive Physiological Intervertebral Movements to exercise provides additional benefits for patients with cervicogenic headache compared with exercise alone. The trial included 64 participants.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Were diagnosed with cervicogenic headache using a standardized clinical diagnostic protocol based on history and physical examination.
Had a positive Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test, defined as reduced cervical rotation by ≥10° on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic side, or total rotation \<32°.
Had referred pain originating from the cervical spine, confirmed by mechanical provocation such as manual palpation or pressure over the C1-C3 zygapophysial joints reproducing typical headache symptoms.
Had pain behavior consistent with cervicogenic headache, such as symptoms worsened by sustained neck posture or specific neck movements.
Had other primary headache disorders excluded based on clinical history and symptom characteristics.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosed with disc herniation and stenosis of the spinal canal.
* Clinically diagnosed as a case of cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.
* Subjects with conditions or diseases that are contraindicated for mobilization treatment: rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spondylolistheses, cervical fractures, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, malignancy, and pregnancy
* Have received manual therapy or exercise by a physical therapist in the last six months.
* Patients diagnosed with cognitive dysfunction, psychological disorder, or communication/cognitive deficits.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial tested PPIVMs — passive physiological intervertebral movements — for cervicogenic headache, and it's already completed. Could you help me understand what PPIVMs actually involve and whether the results from this trial suggest this type of manual therapy is worth pursuing for my specific situation?
2Since this trial measured headache pain intensity using a Numeric Pain Rating Scale, can you tell me whether the results showed a meaningful reduction in pain scores, and how that compares to other treatments I could try for my cervicogenic headaches?
3This study is listed under Phase NA, which is common for non-drug therapy trials — does that affect how confident we can be in the findings, and how much weight should I give the results when thinking about my own treatment plan?
4Cervicogenic headaches originate from the neck, so would my headache pattern and neck history actually match the type of patients enrolled in this trial, or might my case be different enough that the results don't apply as well to me?
5Are there standard treatments for cervicogenic headache — like physical therapy, nerve blocks, or other manual techniques — that I should consider first before or alongside anything this completed trial might suggest?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Headache Pain Intensity Measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Timeframe: Baseline, 4 weeks, and 3 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07617051
SponsorJordan University of Science and Technology