Effects of cervical stabilization exercise training applied with telerehabilitation in individuals with migraine

This study aimed to compare the effects of cervical stabilization exercise training applied with telerehabilitation in addition to standard treatment on pain, forward head posture, cervical mobility, muscle performance, functional status, sleep quality, and quality of life in individuals with migraine, compared to standard treatment alone. Participants were randomly divided in two as stabilization group (n=20) and a control group (n=20) by block randomization. Pain intensity, frequency, and duration were assessed using pain diary, forward head posture and cervical mobility was measured with goniometer, cervical muscle performance was assessed using pressure biofeedback unit, functional status was assessed using Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), sleep quality was assessed using Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS), and quality of life was assessed using Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). The control group received only standard treatment (medication+recommendations). The stabilization group was given cervical stabilization exercise training applied with telerehabilitation in addition to standard treatment 3 days a week for 8 weeks. According to the group-time interaction, it was found that in the stabilization group compared to the control group, pain frequency (p<0.001), pain intensity (p<0.001), pain duration (p<0.001), MIDAS (p<0.001), JSS (p=0.013), and HIT-6 (p<0.001) scores decreased more significantly. Additionally, the craniovertebral angle (p=0.03), flexion (p=0.02), right lateral flexion (p<0.001), left lateral flexion (p<0.001), right rotation (p<0.001), left rotation (p<0.001), and deep neck flexor muscle performance (p<0.001) values increased significantly more in the stabilization group. It was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of compliance with standard treatment (p=0.665). The study demonstrated that cervical stabilization exercise training applied with telerehabilitation in addition to standard treatment, is superior to standard treatment alone in reducing pain, improving forward head posture, cervical mobility, muscle performance, functional status, and quality of life in individuals with migraine. Keywords: Exercise, headache, migraine, pain, physiotherapy, telerehabilitation.