Effectiveness of a manual therapy protocol based on articulatory techniques in migraine patients. A randomized controlled trial

Background: Physiotherapy is used as a non-pharmacological treatment for migraine. However, controversy exists over whether articulatory manual techniques are effective in some aspects related to migraine.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a manual therapy protocol based on articulatory techniques in pain intensity, frequency of episodes, migraine disability, quality of life, medication intake and self-reported perceived change after treatment in migraine patients.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Fifty individuals with migraine were randomized into the experimental group, which received manual therapy based on articulatory techniques (n = 25), or the placebo group (n = 25). The intervention lasted 4 weeks and included 4 sessions. Patients were assessed before (T1), after (T2) and at a one-month follow-up following the intervention (T3). The instruments used were the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire, the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), the medication intake and The Patients' Global Impression of Change scale.

Results: In comparison with placebo group, manual therapy patients reported significant effects on pain intensity at T2 (p < 0.001; d = 1.15) and at T3 (p < 0.001; d = 1.13), migraine disability at T3 (p < 0.05; d = 0.69), physical quality of life at T2 (p < 0.05; d = 0.72), overall quality of life at T2 (p < 0.05; d = 0.60), decrease in medication intake at T2 (p < 0.001; d = 1.11) and at T3 (p < 0.05; d = 0.77) and self-reported perceived change after treatment at T2 and T3 (p < 0.001). No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: The application of a manual therapy protocol based on articulatory techniques reduced pain intensity, migraine disability, and medication intake, while improving quality of life in patients with migraine.