Effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in the Physiotherapeutic Treatment of Migraine
Abstract
Migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder associated with recurrent headache, disability, and reduced quality of life. In addition to pain, migraine is frequently accompanied by autonomic dysfunction, psychological comorbidities, and sleep disturbances. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a physiotherapy technique that may influence pain perception and autonomic regulation by promoting lymphatic and venous return and facilitating parasympathetic activity.
The aim of this pilot clinical study is to evaluate the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in patients with migraine. Participants will be allocated to an experimental group receiving manual lymphatic drainage or to a control group. Outcomes related to pain intensity, pressure pain thresholds, migraine-related disability, quality of life, psychological variables, sleep quality, and vital signs will be assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and during follow-up periods.
This study seeks to provide preliminary evidence on the feasibility and potential clinical effects of manual lymphatic drainage as a non-pharmacological physiotherapy approach for migraine management.
Conditions: Migraine.
Primary outcome: Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS); Pressure pain threshold (PPT) at suboccipital region.
Enrollment: 20 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 20 participants or records.
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