The effectiveness of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide on Flexion Rotation Test, pain intensity, and functionality in subjects with Cervicogenic Headache: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials

Ricardo Cardoso; Adérito Seixas; Sandra Rodrigues; Isabel Moreira-Silva; Nuno Ventura; Joana Azevedo; Filippo Monsignori

doi:10.1186/s40945-022-00144-3

The effectiveness of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide on Flexion Rotation Test, pain intensity, and functionality in subjects with Cervicogenic Headache: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials

Arch Physiother. 2022 Sep 1;12(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s40945-022-00144-3.

Authors

Ricardo Cardoso^{1

2}, Adérito Seixas^{3

4}, Sandra Rodrigues³, Isabel Moreira-Silva^{3

5}, Nuno Ventura³, Joana Azevedo³, Filippo Monsignori³

Affiliations

¹ Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal. rcardoso@ufp.edu.pt.
² Transdisciplinary Center of Consciousness Studies of Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal. rcardoso@ufp.edu.pt.
³ Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.
⁴ Portugal LABIOMEP, Faculdade de Desporto, INEGI-LAETA, Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
⁵ Faculdade de Desporto, CIAFEL, Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of sustained natural apophyseal glide (SNAG) on Flexion Rotation Test, pain intensity, and functionality in subjects with Cervicogenic Headache (CH).

Methods: The research was conducted on five computerized databases PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, PEDro, Lilacs, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), using the keywords combination: (sustained natural apophyseal glide OR SNAG OR joint mobilization OR Mulligan) AND (cervicogenic headache) according to PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality of the included studies was analyzed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.

Results: Eight articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The selected studies had a methodological quality of 6.6/10 on the PEDro scale and included a total of 357 participants. The SNAG significantly improved pain, Flexion Rotation Test and reduced functional symptoms.

Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that SNAG may be a relevant intervention for CH.

Keywords: Cervicogenic headache; Physiotherapy; Randomized controlled trials; SNAG; Sustained natural apophyseal glide.

Publication types

Review