Physical Profile of Cervicogenic Headache: Comparison With Neck Pain and Healthy Controls

What this study involves

The registry says this study is recruiting. Individual locations may have different availability.

Study type

Observational

Phase

Not applicable / not listed

Age range

25 years - 60 years

Sex eligible

All sexes

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

Participants

135 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

The goal of this observational study is to compare physical findings across three adult groups. Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a headache linked to a problem in the neck. Neck pain may affect posture, muscle function, grip strength, and sensitivity to pressure. Researchers do not know whether CGH has a distinct pattern of these findings.

The main questions are:

• Do posture, grip strength, muscle stiffness, elasticity, and pressure sensitivity differ among the groups?
• Are any differences more closely associated with CGH than with neck pain?

Researchers will compare adults ages 25 through 60. One group will include people with CGH lasting at least three months. Another group will include people with neck pain lasting at least six months. People in the neck pain group will have no headaches. Healthy participants will have no neck pain or headaches.

Researchers will not provide treatment or change participants' usual care. Each participant will complete one study visit lasting about 15 minutes. Participants will:

• Answer short questions about their health and pain
• Stand while researchers measure their head and neck posture
• Squeeze a device that measures grip strength
• Complete brief tests of neck muscle stiffness and elasticity
• Tell researchers when applied pressure first becomes painful

Researchers will compare results across the three groups. The findings may guide future CGH assessment and treatment research.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Aged 25 to 60 years
• Able to provide written informed consent
• Meeting the criteria for one of the following groups:
• Cervicogenic headache: physician diagnosis according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, with symptoms lasting at least 3 months
• Chronic nonspecific neck pain: neck pain lasting at least 6 months without headache
• Healthy control: no neck pain or headache

Exclusion Criteria:

• Receipt of physiotherapy for headache or neck pain during the previous 6 months
• Diagnosis of a headache disorder other than cervicogenic headache, including migraine or tension-type headache, or a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia
• History of cervical spine surgery or significant cervical trauma
• Current or previous diagnosis of a tumor or cancer
• Serious cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, hematological, metabolic, neurological, or psychiatric disorder
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Congenital cervical abnormality
• Cervical spondylolisthesis or cervical instability
• Active infection
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
• Dizziness or visual disturbance accompanying headache
• Any clinical red flag suggesting serious cervical pathology
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Upper-extremity injury, surgery, or another condition affecting handgrip strength
• Serious musculoskeletal disorder affecting cervical posture or muscle measurements
• Inability to complete the questionnaire-based or instrument-based assessments

Study population

The study population consists of adults aged 25-60 years recruited at the study site in Istanbul, Türkiye. Participants are classified into three groups according to predefined clinical criteria. The cervicogenic headache group includes individuals diagnosed by a physician according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. The chronic nonspecific neck pain group includes individuals with neck pain lasting at least 6 months and no headache. The healthy control group includes individuals without neck pain or headache. Participants receive no study intervention and complete one questionnaire-based and instrument-based assessment session.

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment

Not reported

Masking

Not reported

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Secondary measures

Research locations (1)

The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.

1 locations

Study team and timeline

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

Study start

Apr 21, 2026 Actual

Primary completion

Nov 8, 2026 Actual

Study completion

Nov 30, 2026 Estimated

First posted

Aug 20, 2026 Actual

Last updated

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Official study contacts