Lack of Efficacy of Manual Therapy in Children and Adolescents With Suspected Cervicogenic Headache: Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, and Blinded Trial

Objective.-Clinical trials concerning cervical spine manipulation and mobilization in children and adolescents with cervicogenic headache are lacking. Methods.-We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, and blinded trial in 52 children and adolescents (21 boys, 31 girls) aged 7-15. After prospective baseline documentation for 2 months patients were either assigned to placebo or true manipulation with another 2-month follow-up. Main outcome measures were defined as: percentage of days with headache, total duration of headache, days with school absence due to headache, consume of analgesics, intensity of headache. Results.-We did not find a significant difference comparing the groups with placebo and true manipulation with respect to the defined main outcome measures. Conclusions.-We were not able to show an efficacy of cervical spine manipulation in 52 children and adolescents.