Cervicogenic HeadacheNCT07327827
Comparative Effects of Back School Based Intervention Versus Cranio-Cervical Muscle Training in Computer Users With Cervicogenic Headache
A study testing Back School Based Intervention and Cranio-Cervical muscle Training in people with Cervicogenic Headache, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The aim of the study is to compare Back School Based Intervention with Cranio- Cervical muscle training in participants with Cervicogenic headache. The study wants to investigate that which intervention helps to mange pain, improve posture and reduce disability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 44 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervicogenic Headache
- What is being tested?
- Back School Based Intervention and Cranio-Cervical muscle Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 23 Jan 2026to 5 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 to 44 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants of both gender.
- Participants aged between 19 to 44 years.
- Participants having unilateral headache without side shift for>3 months aggravated by neck movement.
- Participants with pain intensity ≥3 on a visual analog scale (VAS).
- Participants working on the computer for an average 32 h per week.
- Participants having positive cervical flexion rotation test (CFRT).
- Participants having joint tenderness in at least one of the upper three cervical joints with palpation.
Who cannot join
- If participants having any history of fractures or previous surgery of the vertebral column, any degenerative and inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis, dislocations, cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy and any history of whiplash injury.
- Participants showing any signs of the five 'D's' or three 'N's.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Back School Based Intervention Versus Cranio-Cervical Muscle Training on Pain, Posture and Disability in Computer Users With Cervicogenic Headache
The aim of the study is to compare Back School Based Intervention with Cranio- Cervical muscle training in participants with Cervicogenic headache. The study wants to investigate that which intervention helps to mange pain, improve posture and reduce disability. The study aims to answer the question:
- How effective is Back School Based intervention on pain, posture and disability in computer users with Cervicogenic headache compared to Cranio-cervical Muscle Training? Participants will
- Attend the treatment sessions of the group in which they are placed.
- Take treatment session two times a week for eight weeks.
- Participants will be asked about their pain and activities throughout the study.
Read the detailed description
- Headache is one of the disorder that affects 50% of the population worldwide which have negative impact on the quality of life. Cervicogenic headache is the secondary type of headache in which the pain referred from the cervical spine. Headache aggravates by the neck movement and significant reduced range of motion is noticed among patients.
- The management of the cervicogenic headache is both pharmacological and non- pharmacological but pharmacological having more side effects.Non pharmacological management includes massage, dry needing, physical therapy exercises, manual therapy and patient education.
- Cranio-cervical muscle training include cranio-cervical flexion exercises, strengthening, stretching, posture exercises and cervical stabilization exercises. These exercises altogether helps in the strengthening of the neck and shoulder muscles which ultimately correct the cervical impairment which neutralize the posture and decrease the load on the structures of the spine.
- Back school based exercise program can have both practical and theoretical sessions. In practical part patient is guided to the different strengthening and flexibility exercises with increase resistance in each session. In theoretical part patient education is the main part. Patient is educated about the anatomical and posture related changes in the spine so he/ she can identify and correct them by incorporating in their daily life.
- Conditions
- Cervicogenic Headache
- Being tested
- Back School Based Intervention, Cranio-Cervical muscle Training
- Keywords
- Cervicogenic Headache, Back School Based Program, Cranio-Cervical Muscle Training, Pain, Posture, Headache, Disability
- Medical subject headings
- Post-Traumatic Headache, Pain, Headache
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Back School Based InterventionOther
- Patient will receive 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks for a total of 16 sessions. Each session lasted for 35 minutes.
- Conventional Physical therapy will be provided in which stretching of the tight muscles which include SCM, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalene, sub occipitals, pectoralis minor, and pectoralis major. Neck stretches, chin tucks, scapular squeezes, and upper back strengthening exercises with 5 repetitions will be performed. Trigger points of sub occipitals, SCM, and temporalis are released because they cause headache.
- Back School Based Intervention includes both theoretical and practical part. Patients had total of 16 sessions out of which 14 will be practical one and remaining two will be theoretical one. In theoretical part main focus is on the patient education and guidance. In practical part resistive exercises of increase intensity in each session will be performed in which main focus is on the strengthening
Cranio-Cervical muscle TrainingOther
- Patient will receive 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks for a total of 16 sessions. Each session lasted for 35 minutes. Conventional physical therapy will be same in both groups
- Cranio- cervical muscle training session main focus is on the strengthening and posture correction. Cervical flexion, extension and stabilization exercises will be performed which helps to strength muscles and helps to neutralize posture and ultimately disability which is due to headache will be reduced.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Back School Based Intervention | Experimental | Back School Based Intervention Receives: Other: Back School Based Intervention |
| Cranio- Cervical Muscle Training | Active comparator | Cranio- cervical muscle Training Receives: Other: Cranio-Cervical muscle Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analogue scale
Visual Analogue Scale is used for the measurement of pain.a hand written mark on 10 cm line helps to differentiate pain in different patients. If Patient reports minimum pain level more than 3 than considered as the patient required for study maximum pain level will be 10
Measured: It will be measured at baselines, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Headache Disability Index
Headache Disability Index is used to evaluate the impact of headache on person's daily life activities. It consists of 25 questions. Patient answer the question as yes scored as 4, sometimes as 2 or no as 0. The score interpretation for disability is measured and for mild disability it is 10 to 28, for moderate disability is 30 to 48, for severe disability is 50 to 68 and for complete disability 72 or higher is noticed.
Measured: It will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Plumb Line Assessment of Posture
A plumb line is used as reference to measure the abnormality or deviation from posture. It helps to pinpoint those areas of the body which are away from neutral alignment of the body such as rounded shoulder, forward head posture and abnormal tilt of pelvis. Patient reported as deviated or non deviated from neutral posture.
Measured: It will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Cervical Flexion Rotation Test
Cervical flexion rotation test is used to determine the presence of joint dysfunction at the C 1/2 level. The cervical spine is fully flexed to avoid rotational movements then rotated to right and left to find out any pain or restrictions in the joints. Pain provocation and limited rotation indicate the positive test result. Maximum range of rotation will be 45 which is considered as normal. Range less than 45 will need to be corrected.
Measured: It will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jan 2026
- Study start23 Jan 2026
- Primary completion15 Jun 2026
- Study completion5 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cervicogenic HeadacheStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dr. Hufsa Tariq, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
- Investigators
- Laiba Azam, Principal investigator, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07327827
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/029
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 8 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Back School Based Intervention Versus Cranio-Cervical Muscle Training on Pain, Posture and Disability in Computer Users With Cervicogenic Headache
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07327827
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/029
- Conditions
- Cervicogenic Headache
- Keywords
- Cervicogenic Headache, Back School Based Program, Cranio-Cervical Muscle Training, Pain, Posture, Headache, Disability
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of the study is to compare Back School Based Intervention with Cranio- Cervical muscle training in participants with Cervicogenic headache. The study wants to investigate that which intervention helps to mange pain, improve posture and reduce disability. The study aims to answer the question:
- How effective is Back School Based intervention on pain, posture and disability in computer users with Cervicogenic headache compared to Cranio-cervical Muscle Training? Participants will
- Attend the treatment sessions of the group in which they are placed.
- Take treatment session two times a week for eight weeks.
- Participants will be asked about their pain and activities throughout the study.
Detailed description
- Headache is one of the disorder that affects 50% of the population worldwide which have negative impact on the quality of life. Cervicogenic headache is the secondary type of headache in which the pain referred from the cervical spine. Headache aggravates by the neck movement and significant reduced range of motion is noticed among patients.
- The management of the cervicogenic headache is both pharmacological and non- pharmacological but pharmacological having more side effects.Non pharmacological management includes massage, dry needing, physical therapy exercises, manual therapy and patient education.
- Cranio-cervical muscle training include cranio-cervical flexion exercises, strengthening, stretching, posture exercises and cervical stabilization exercises. These exercises altogether helps in the strengthening of the neck and shoulder muscles which ultimately correct the cervical impairment which neutralize the posture and decrease the load on the structures of the spine.
- Back school based exercise program can have both practical and theoretical sessions. In practical part patient is guided to the different strengthening and flexibility exercises with increase resistance in each session. In theoretical part patient education is the main part. Patient is educated about the anatomical and posture related changes in the spine so he/ she can identify and correct them by incorporating in their daily life.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Back School Based Intervention | Experimental | Other: Back School Based InterventionBack School Based Intervention |
| Cranio- Cervical Muscle Training | Active comparator | Other: Cranio-Cervical muscle TrainingCranio- cervical muscle Training |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 44 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Participants of both gender.
- Participants aged between 19 to 44 years.
- Participants having unilateral headache without side shift for>3 months aggravated by neck movement.
- Participants with pain intensity ≥3 on a visual analog scale (VAS).
- Participants working on the computer for an average 32 h per week.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- If participants having any history of fractures or previous surgery of the vertebral column, any degenerative and inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis, dislocations, cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy and any history of whiplash injury.
- Participants showing any signs of the five 'D's' or three 'N's.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Back School Based Intervention* Patient will receive 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks for a total of 16 sessions. Each session lasted for 35 minutes. * Conventional Physical therapy will be provided in which stretching of the tight muscles which include SCM, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalene, sub occipitals, pectoralis minor, and pectoralis major. Neck stretches, chin tucks, scapular squeezes, and upper back strengthening exercises with 5 repetitions will be performed. Trigger points of sub occipitals, SCM, and temporalis are released because they cause headache. * Back School Based Intervention includes both theoretical and practical part. Patients had total of 16 sessions out of which 14 will be practical one and remaining two will be theoretical one. In theoretical part main focus is on the patient education and guidance. In practical part resistive exercises of increase intensity in each session will be performed in which main focus is on the strengthening | Other | Back School Based Intervention |
| Cranio-Cervical muscle Training* Patient will receive 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks for a total of 16 sessions. Each session lasted for 35 minutes. Conventional physical therapy will be same in both groups * Cranio- cervical muscle training session main focus is on the strengthening and posture correction. Cervical flexion, extension and stabilization exercises will be performed which helps to strength muscles and helps to neutralize posture and ultimately disability which is due to headache will be reduced. | Other | Cranio- Cervical Muscle Training |
Primary outcome
Visual Analogue scale
Time frame: It will be measured at baselines, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Visual Analogue Scale is used for the measurement of pain.a hand written mark on 10 cm line helps to differentiate pain in different patients. If Patient reports minimum pain level more than 3 than considered as the patient required for study maximum pain level will be 10
Headache Disability Index
Time frame: It will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Headache Disability Index is used to evaluate the impact of headache on person's daily life activities. It consists of 25 questions. Patient answer the question as yes scored as 4, sometimes as 2 or no as 0. The score interpretation for disability is measured and for mild disability it is 10 to 28, for moderate disability is 30 to 48, for severe disability is 50 to 68 and for complete disability 72 or higher is noticed.
Plumb Line Assessment of Posture
Time frame: It will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
A plumb line is used as reference to measure the abnormality or deviation from posture. It helps to pinpoint those areas of the body which are away from neutral alignment of the body such as rounded shoulder, forward head posture and abnormal tilt of pelvis. Patient reported as deviated or non deviated from neutral posture.
Cervical Flexion Rotation Test
Time frame: It will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.
Cervical flexion rotation test is used to determine the presence of joint dysfunction at the C 1/2 level. The cervical spine is fully flexed to avoid rotational movements then rotated to right and left to find out any pain or restrictions in the joints. Pain provocation and limited rotation indicate the positive test result. Maximum range of rotation will be 45 which is considered as normal. Range less than 45 will need to be corrected.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Jul 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Laiba Azam principal investigator
Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Back School Based Intervention and Cranio-Cervical muscle Training in people with Cervicogenic Headache, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Analogue scale (time frame: It will be measured at baselines, 4 weeks and at 8 weeks.). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jul 2026.