J Liepert1, M Tegenthoff, A Willweber-Strumpf. 1. Poliklinik der Ruhruniversität Bochum, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Krankenanstalten „Bergmannsheil”, Bochum, Deutschland.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: The period of late exteroceptive suppression (ES 2) of the temporalis muscle is often shortened in patients with chronic tension-type headache. The present study was conducted to find out whether the ES 2 is influenced by muscle relaxation training and whether it is rather a state or a trait marker. METHODS: The ES 2 was measured in seven female outpatients with chronic tension-type headache before, during, and after a 6-week period of muscle relaxation training. Single electrical stimuli were applied periorally during maximum teeth clenching, while the activity of temporalis muscle was recorded with surface EMG electrodes. RESULTS: Before treatment, duration of the ES 2 was significantly shorter in patients than in a control group. Immediately after the 6-week period the ES 2 was normalized and no longer different from that in the controls. Another 16 weeks later the duration of ES 2 was reduced again, but had not returned to pretreatment values. The ES 2 data correlated slightly better with the patients' feeling of being relaxed than with reduction of headache. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of ES 2 was modified by a muscle relaxation training in patients with chronic tension-type headache. Therefore, ES 2 is a state marker and is probably influenced by limbic structures. Measurement of ES 2 may not be only a diagnostic tool, but could also be useful in monitoring results of therapy in patients with tension-type headache.
UNLABELLED: The period of late exteroceptive suppression (ES 2) of the temporalis muscle is often shortened in patients with chronic tension-type headache. The present study was conducted to find out whether the ES 2 is influenced by muscle relaxation training and whether it is rather a state or a trait marker. METHODS: The ES 2 was measured in seven female outpatients with chronic tension-type headache before, during, and after a 6-week period of muscle relaxation training. Single electrical stimuli were applied periorally during maximum teeth clenching, while the activity of temporalis muscle was recorded with surface EMG electrodes. RESULTS: Before treatment, duration of the ES 2 was significantly shorter in patients than in a control group. Immediately after the 6-week period the ES 2 was normalized and no longer different from that in the controls. Another 16 weeks later the duration of ES 2 was reduced again, but had not returned to pretreatment values. The ES 2 data correlated slightly better with the patients' feeling of being relaxed than with reduction of headache. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of ES 2 was modified by a muscle relaxation training in patients with chronic tension-type headache. Therefore, ES 2 is a state marker and is probably influenced by limbic structures. Measurement of ES 2 may not be only a diagnostic tool, but could also be useful in monitoring results of therapy in patients with tension-type headache.