Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a type of headache originating in the neck and is often accompanied by limited neck movement. Until now, many patients still feel pain even after undergoing various treatments, including surgery.
The latest research was conducted by a participant in the Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine (FK) of Universitas Indonesia (UI), dr. Robiah Khairani Hasibuan, Sp.N(K), shows that modified yoga can be an effective alternative to overcome pain in CGH patients. Yoga, with various movements that help stretch muscles and improve posture, is a more natural and holistic alternative to CGH therapy. There are 13 types of yoga with hundreds of very diverse movements, so it is necessary to choose movements that are appropriate to the patient’s condition (modified yoga).
In this study, dr. Robiah examined the impact of modified yoga compared to conventional therapy on cardiorespiratory endurance, body flexibility, pain, salivary cortisol levels, and depression levels in CGH patients. The study was conducted using a randomized clinical trial method with 66 subjects divided into two groups, namely the yoga group and the control group.
In the yoga group, they underwent modified yoga exercises twice a week for 12 weeks, while the control group received only conventional treatment and physiotherapy exercises. The parameters measured included pain intensity, frequency and duration of pain, depression level, body flexibility, and salivary cortisol levels.
“The results of our study show that modified yoga exercises have a significant effect on reducing pain and improving body flexibility in CGH patients,” said dr. Robiah in a doctoral promotion session held by the Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, FKUI, in the 3rd Floor Auditorium Room of the IMERI Building, FKUI, UI Salemba Campus, on Friday, July 12.
The neurologist also added that modified yoga exercises can help reduce stress-related salivary cortisol levels and improve cardiorespiratory endurance. After 12 weeks, the yoga group showed better improvement than the control group. The intensity, frequency, and duration of pain were significantly reduced.
“The results of the study show that modified yoga exercises can be an important part of CGH therapy. These exercises not only help reduce pain, but also improve the physical and mental balance of patients. Health care facilities are advised to provide modified yoga programs as part of comprehensive therapy for CGH patients,” said dr. Robiah.
The dissertation research conducted by dr. Robiah Khairani Hasibuan is titled “Efek Yoga Modifikasi Dibandingkan Terapi Konvensional terhadap Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Fleksibilitas Tubuh, Nyeri, Kadar Kortisol Saliva, dan Tingkat Depresi, pada Pasien Cervicogenic Headache” (The Effects of Modified Yoga Compared to Conventional Therapy on Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Body Flexibility, Pain, Salivary Cortisol Levels, and Depression Levels in Cervicogenic Headache Patients). The promoter of the dissertation is Professor of Neurology, FKUI, Prof. Dr. dr. Salim Harris, Sp.N(K), FICA, with co-promoters Dr. dr. Fitri Octaviana, Sp.N(K) and Dr. dr. Riwanti Estiasari, Sp.N(K).
The results of dr. Robiah’s research provides new hope for CGH sufferers in more effective and natural treatment management. “This research is expected to provide maximum contribution to the medical faculty where the person concerned works. The research conducted is very interesting, because yoga does not require any (tools) and this can be applied to the entire community (who experience CGH),” said Prof. Salim.
