MUSCULAR PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD AND INFLUENCE OF CRANIOCERVICAL POSTURE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH EPISODIC TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), suboccipital (SO) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles and the craniocervical posture in individuals with episodic tension-type headache (ETTH). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, non-randomized study with 60 young adults (77% female) comprising both sexes and an age range of 18-27 years. Individuals were distributed into a control group (G1) and individuals with ETTH (G2). The frequency of headaches per month was recorded. A pressure dynamometer was used to evaluate the PPT. Photogrammetry was used to evaluate the cervical lordosis (CL) and cephalic protrusion (CP). The data were statistically analyzed. Results: There were differences in the PPT, where the UT, SO and SCM muscles presented lower sensitivity to pain, respectively. The SCM muscle presented a lower PPT in G2. The CL and CP angles were significantly lower in G2. Conclusion: Individuals with ETTH exhibited a significantly lower PPT in the SCM and SO muscles than in the UT muscle. Nevertheless, individuals with ETTH presented with the SCM muscle being more sensitive to pain as well as higher CL and CP than individuals without symptomatology.摘要 目的：本研究旨在分析发作性紧张型头痛（ETTH）人群的胸锁乳突肌（SCM）、枕下肌（SO）及斜方肌上部（UT）的压力痛阈（PPT）与颅颈姿势特征。方法：本研究为横断面非随机研究，共纳入60名青年受试者，年龄跨度为18~27岁，涵盖两性人群，其中女性占比77%。将受试者分为对照组（G1）与发作性紧张型头痛组（G2），记录受试者每月头痛发作频率。采用压力测痛仪评估压力痛阈，通过摄影测量技术评估颈椎前凸角（CL）与头前伸角（CP），并对所有数据开展统计学分析。结果：压力痛阈存在组间差异，斜方肌上部（UT）、枕下肌（SO）与胸锁乳突肌（SCM）的痛觉敏感性依次降低。G2组受试者的胸锁乳突肌压力痛阈更低。G2组的颈椎前凸角与头前伸角均显著降低。结论：发作性紧张型头痛患者的胸锁乳突肌与枕下肌压力痛阈显著低于斜方肌上部。尽管如此，与无症状人群相比，发作性紧张型头痛患者的胸锁乳突肌痛觉敏感性更高，且颈椎前凸角与头前伸角更大。