Table 62Chronic tension headache: effects of nonpharmacological interventions compared with usual care, placebo, sham, attention control, or waitlist

Intervention

Function

Short-Term

Effect Size

Function

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Function

Long-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Short-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Long-Term

Effect Size

Psychological Therapies: Plus Relaxationinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidence
Psychological Therapies: Relaxation Onlyno evidenceno evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidence
Physical Modalities: OTESinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidence
Manual Therapies: Spinal Manipulation

small

+

no evidenceno evidence

moderate

+

no evidenceno evidence
Acupunctureno evidenceno evidenceno evidence

small

+

(laser)

insufficient evidence (needle)

insufficient evidence (needle)insufficient evidence (needle)

Short-Term: 1 to <6 months; Intermediate-Term: ≥6 to <12 months; Long-Term: ≥12 months

Effect Size: none, small, moderate, or large improvement

Strength of Evidence: + = low, ++ = moderate, +++ = high

= cognitive-behavioral therapy; OTES = occipital transcutaneous electrical stimulation; = strength of evidence

From: Discussion

Cover of Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update
Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update [Internet].
Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 227.
Skelly AC, Chou R, Dettori JR, et al.

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