SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF COURT-TYPE TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE ON PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD AND PAIN INTENSITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC TENSION-TYPE HEADACH

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of the court-type traditional Thai massage
(CTTM) on pressure pain threshold and pain intensity to treat patients suffering from chronic tension-type
headaches (CTTHs) comparing with amitriptyline taking. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty
patients diagnosed with CTTH were evenly divided into the treatment and control group. The treatment
group received a 45-minute course of court-type traditional Thai massage the control group was prescribed to
take 25 mg of amitriptyline once a day before bedtime lasted. The results were evaluated in short-term day 1
after intervention, The measurement consisted of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Tissue hardness and pressure
pain threshold (PPT). The results demonstrated that there was a significant decrease in pain intensity for the
CTTM group at different assessment while a significant difference occurred between-group comparison
(P<0.05). Moreover, the PPT of the CTTM group was significantly increased (P<0.05). It can therefore be
concluded from the findings that CTTM seems to be an effective therapy for stress-related variables and
increased the PPT as well as reducing pain intensity for the CTTHs.