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CompletedNCT05976399Updated Aug 8, 2023

Manual Lymph Drainage in Individuals With Migraine

An interventional study of Connective Tissue Massage and Manual Lymph Drainage in Manual Lymphatic Drainage, sponsored by Izmir Democracy University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-08-08.

Sponsored by Izmir Democracy University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 4 years 1 month after the study started (first participant enrolled Jun 2019, registered Jul 2023).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
40
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

In the literature, research into the examination of the effect of MLD on migraine is quite limited. Our study aimed to examine the effectiveness of manual lymph drainage and connective tissue massage treatments on neck pain and disability, sleep quality, pain threshold and severity, depression and quality of life.

Read the detailed description

Although there are evidence-based guidelines for clinical decision-making and reporting the care of patients with migraine, migraine management for the population is inadequate. Even among individuals who are correctly diagnosed, almost more than half of patients are not administered any acute or preventive treatment. Various invasive and non-invasive treatment options are available in the treatment of migraine. Relaxation training, exercise, cold application, massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), biofeedback, manipulation and mobilization techniques, and trigger point therapy are some of the non-invasive treatment options used in migraine treatment. These treatments, which can be applied independently, can also be applied in combination with pharmacological treatments in some patients. In addition, the patient's knowledge about the disease makes it easier to manage the process and cope with the pain better.

Connective tissue massage (CTM) is a manipulative therapy method that is different from traditional massages in terms of both technical and physiological effects and has been used for diagnosis or treatment since 1928. Although the manipulative procedures applied target superficial connective and subcutaneous tissues, they also have effects on organs far from the local stimulation area. Another approach to migraine prophylaxis includes manual lymph drainage (MLD). It is considered that MLD causes sympathetic and parasympathetic effects and is similar to therapeutically effective relaxation therapy by reducing the hyperexcitability of the central system. With the parasympathetic effect it creates, it helps to reduce muscle pain and spasm, making it easier to cope with tension and stress. Reduction of the tension and stress factors may reduce the triggering of migraine and make it easier to cope with the current migraine. Recent studies have shown that the meningeal lymphatic system is located in the brain and that this system is a new way for the drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid.

In the literature, research into the examination of the effect of MLD on migraine is quite limited. We planned this randomized controlled trial to contribute to the reduction of pain and increase the quality of life of individuals with migraine by increasing the awareness of individuals working in this field in our country.

02

Conditions studied

  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage

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Keywords

  • Migraine
  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage
  • Connective Tissue Massage
  • Quality of Life
03

In context

Migraine Disorders

1,528 studies on the registry are indexed under Migraine Disorders; 299 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 80 across 1,175 interventional studies indexed under Migraine Disorders.

Browse Migraine Disorders studies →

Lead sponsor

Izmir Democracy University is the lead sponsor of 73 studies on the registry; 32 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • To be able to read and write
  • Diagnosis of migraine by a neurologist according to IHS criteria
  • Be willing to participate in the study voluntarily signing an informed consent form
  • Have good cognitive functioning
  • Between the ages of 18 and 65
  • Reported pain intensity of 40 mm or more according to VAS
  • Headache (without allodynia) \<15 days per month

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria

  • Had any of the contraindications of MLD for the general and neck region
  • Had a history of neuromuscular disease,
  • Had communication problems to the extent that prevented evaluation methods,
  • Had headaches lasting >15 days a month, were diagnosed with other types of headaches (cervicogenic type headache, tension-type headache),
  • Were diagnosed with fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome, exhibited whiplash and similar traumas
  • Had severe depression symptoms according to the Beck depression inventory,
  • Had a congenital musculoskeletal anomaly, received non-pharmacological migraine treatment (acupuncture, dry needling, etc.),
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
40 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Manual lymph drainage group

    The patients, who had filled out their pain diary before and submitted a consent form, were first evaluated before the treatment and then they lay on their back with their neck area open, paying attention to the protection of their privacy. Hand strokes, one of the basic techniques applied for treatment, were planned in accordance with the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system. MLD was applied to the lateral neck and face region in 5-7 repetitions so that the lymph collectors could give an adequate reaction to the application. The treatment was performed 2 days a week for 6 weeks, with a total of 12 sessions. Each session lasted 45 minutes.

    Other: Manual Lymph Drainage

  • Active comparator
    Connective tissue massage group

    In participants in the CTM group, the treatment was started with the sacral region called the "basic region" and the whole back was treated. Pulls in the interscapular region were more intense than in other regions. After the interscapular region, the cervical, clavicular, and facial regions were also included in the treatment. The applications first started with the basic region and then progressed to the lower thoracic, scapular, and interscapular regions. Then, the cervical and clavicular regions were treated. In each region, the applications were performed three times on each of the right and left sides. While positioning the patients, we paid attention to their privacy and the temperature of the room where the treatment was carried out. A total of 12 sessions, which were conducted 2 days a week and took 6 weeks, were performed.

    Other: Connective Tissue Massage

Interventions

  • OtherConnective Tissue Massage

    In participants in the CTM group, the treatment was started with the sacral region called the "basic region" and the whole back was treated. Pulls in the interscapular region were more intense than in other regions. After the interscapular region, the cervical, clavicular, and facial regions were also included in the treatment. Both short and long pulls were used according to the region during CTM. The applications first started with the basic region and then progressed to the lower thoracic, scapular, and interscapular regions. Then, the cervical and clavicular regions were treated. In each region, the applications were performed three times on each of the right and left sides. While positioning the patients, we paid attention to their privacy and the temperature of the room where the treatment was carried out. A total of 12 sessions, which were conducted 2 days a week and took 6 weeks, were performed.

  • OtherManual Lymph Drainage

    The patients, who had filled out their pain diary before and submitted a consent form, were first evaluated before the treatment and then they lay on their back with their neck area open, paying attention to the protection of their privacy. Hand strokes, one of the basic techniques applied for treatment, were planned in accordance with the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system. MLD was applied to the lateral neck and face region in 5-7 repetitions so that the lymph collectors could give an adequate reaction to the application. The treatment was performed 2 days a week for 6 weeks, with a total of 12 sessions. Each session lasted 45 minutes.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pressure algometer (Dolorimeter)

    The pressure algometer was developed by Fischer to determine the perception of pressure and assess pain sensitivity. in our study, measurements with a dolorimeter were made from a total of 12 regions, including 6 on the right and 6 on the left. Selected 6 muscles were M. Temporalis anterior, M. Sternocleidomastoid, M. Scalenous anterior, M. Suboccipital, M. Levator scapula, and M. Trapezius (Upper).

    Time frame: All individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the 6-week-long treatment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Neck Pain and Disability Scale

    It consists of 20 questions that examine the relationship between the severity of neck pain and social, functional, and emotional status. The questions on the scale are scored between 0 and 5 points. A high score indicates severe disability in patients.

    Time frame: All individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the 6-week-long treatment

  2. Visual Analog Scale

    The severity of individuals' pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale. The patient evaluates his or her subjective pain sensation with this scale. It is a 100-mm-long horizontal or vertical scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the most severe pain possible

    Time frame: All individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the 6-week-long treatment

  3. Pain diary

    This is a method that is used to plan treatment and determine its effectiveness. It includes a diary in which the patient records information, such as the onset of pain, its severity, location, factors that increase or decrease it, and the name and dose of the medication used if any. Forty patients with migraine who were planned to be included in the study were given a pain diary 2 weeks before the initiation of treatment. Patients were asked to record the severity and duration of the pain, the symptoms accompanying it, and the name and the number of medications taken in the pain diary when they had a headache.

    Time frame: in the study a pain diary were given 2 weeks before the initiation of treatment and after the 6-week-long treatment was completed

  4. Short Form-36

    This form was developed by Ware Jr and Sherbourne to evaluate the quality of life.It consists of 36 items that measure 8 dimensions: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, pain, mental health, the general perception of health, and energy/vitality. The dimensions are independent of each other, and a high score indicates the quality of life for that dimension.

    Time frame: All individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the 6-week-long treatment

  5. Back Depression Inventory

    he Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-item, self-report rating inventory that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression.

    Time frame: All individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the 6-week-long treatment

  6. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

    The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is a self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality over a 1-month time interval. The measure consists of 19 individual items, creating 7 components that produce one global score, and takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

    Time frame: All individuals participating in the study were evaluated before and after the 6-week-long treatment

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Izmir Democracy University
    İzmir, Karabağlar/İZMİR 35140, Turkey
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Goadsby PJ, Holland PR, Martins-Oliveira M, Hoffmann J, Schankin C, Akerman S. Pathophysiology of Migraine: A Disorder of Sensory Processing. Physiol Rev. 2017 Apr;97(2):553-622. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00034.2015. PubMed 28179394 ↗
  • Goats GC, Keir KA. Connective tissue massage. Br J Sports Med. 1991 Sep;25(3):131-3. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.25.3.131. PubMed 1777777 ↗
  • Happe S, Peikert A, Siegert R, Evers S. Erratum to: The efficacy of lymphatic drainage and traditional massage in the prophylaxis of migraine: a randomized, controlled parallel group study. Neurol Sci. 2016 Oct;37(10):1753. doi: 10.1007/s10072-016-2657-z. No abstract available. PubMed 27412032 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 8, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05976399
Lead sponsor
Izmir Democracy University
Responsible party
Özlem Çınar Özdemir (Assoc. prof, Izmir Democracy University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Aug 4, 2023
Start date
Jun 6, 2019
Primary completion
Oct 15, 2020
Completion
Feb 8, 2021
Last update
Aug 8, 2023

Study contacts

Özlem Çinar Özdemir, Assoc.Dr
study director · Izmir Democracy University
Betül Yıldırım
principal investigator · Siirt University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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