Open AccessAcupuncture as a therapeutic option for tension-type headache: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
Caio de Almeida Lellis Camila Puton,
Caio Reis Borges,
Giovanna Garcia de Oliveira
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.236
Subject(s) - acupuncture , medicine , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , migraine , manual therapy , clinical trial , tension headache , quality of life (healthcare) , medline , systematic review , relaxation (psychology) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , alternative medicine , surgery , anesthesia , nursing , pathology , political science , law
Tension headache (TTS), the most common type of primary headache, is characterized by tightness pain, typically bilateral, lasting hours or days, significantly impairing daily activities. Objectives: To review the literature on the use of acupuncture in the management of TTS, evaluating its safety and efficacy. Design and setting: A systematic review conducted at the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed in the PubMed, EMBASE and Virtual Health Library databases, with the terms: “Tension-Type Headache AND Acupuncture”. Randomized studies and clinical trials published in the last 10 years were selected. Results: Two studies, one clinical trial and one randomized trial, concluded that combining acupuncture with another therapy involving movement, such as stretching, physical therapy techniques, or relaxation training, led to reduced pain intensity and improved quality of life in patients with TTS. In contrast, other randomized clinical trials concluded that relaxation training decreased the intensity, frequency of attacks, and adjunctive symptoms of headache (sleep and vitality) more than acupuncture. Finally, acupuncture was compared with the simulated control process in the prevention of TTS, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups evaluated. Conclusion: The literature indicated that the combination of acupuncture with other therapeutic options was safe and effective in the management and prevention of TTS. Studies with greater scientific rigor should be conducted for a better understanding of this therapeutic option.