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Has aerobic exercise effect on pain perception in persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain? A randomized, controlled, clinical trial
Author(s) -
Krøll L.S.,
Sjödahl Hammarlund C.,
Gard G.,
Jensen R.H.,
Bendtsen L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1002/ejp.1228
Subject(s) - migraine , aerobic exercise , medicine , physical therapy , tension headache , neck pain , tenderness , randomized controlled trial , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anesthesia , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology
Background A large subset of persons with migraine suffers from coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain which may adversely affect the prognosis of migraine. Aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease migraine burden in these persons. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the effect of aerobic exercise in persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain can be explained by changes in pain perception. Method Seventy consecutively recruited persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain were randomized into exercise group or control group. Aerobic exercise consisted of bike/cross‐trainer/brisk walking for 45 min, three times/week for 3 months. Controls continued their usual daily activities. Pericranial tenderness, pain thresholds, supra‐thresholds and temporal summation were assessed at baseline, after treatment and at follow‐up (6 months from baseline). Results Fifty‐two persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain completed the study. Aerobic exercise did not induce consistent changes in nociceptive pathways measured by pericranial tenderness, pressure pain thresholds and sensitivity to electrical stimulation. Conclusion The effect of aerobic exercise cannot be explained by measurable effects on the pain modulation system. Thus, the positive effect on migraine burden may rather be explained by positive alteration of avoidance behaviour. Aerobic exercise can be recommended as a safe and inexpensive migraine treatment strategy. Significance This study adds further knowledge about the positive effect of aerobic exercise for persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain. This effect cannot be measured by changes in pain modulation, but may rather be explained by positive alteration of avoidance behaviour.