THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP POSTURE AND CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE AND ITS IMPACTS ON SLEEP QUALITY

Abstract

A secondary headache caused by dysfunction of the cervical spine and related structures is called cervicogenic headache (CGH). It is generally linked to posture related stress and musculoskeletal strain. Maintaining cervical alignment is mostly dependent on sleep posture, and incorrect positions can put more mechanical strain on the neck. Understanding the relationship between CGH and sleep posture, as well as their impact on sleep quality, is critical for clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the study was to investigate relationship between sleep posture and severity of cervicogenic headache symptoms while the secondary objective was the impact of cervicogenic headache on sleep quality.

METHODS

This was a cross sectional study. This study was carried out among 87 diagnosed patients of Cervicogenic headache both male and female of the age 25 to 50 in Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Mansehra using non probability convenience sampling technique. The study was conducted in four months. The data was collected through self-structured questionnaire and was analyzed through SPSS version 22.

RESULTS

A total n=86 with mean ± SD: 1.87 ± 0.865. A relationship between sleep posture and the start of cervicogenic headaches was revealed by cross-tabulation analysis. The right lateral sleep position showed a dual effect: when used regularly, it was linked to an increase in headaches, but when utilized purposefully, it relieved symptoms. Likert scale analysis revealed that while sleep length was often sufficient, participants frequently had trouble falling asleep and had sleep interruptions, indicating poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSION  

The findings indicate that sleep posture has a major influence on pain originating from the neck accompanied by headache and that it also affects the quality of sleep. Importantly, the right lateral sleep position shows a dual effect, as it helps to relieve symptoms when it is properly adjusted but is associated with aggravation of the headache when it is kept as a habitual one. Moreover, the presence of sleep disorders despite the adequacy of sleep duration points to the need for dealing with ergonomic sleep behavior and sleep quality as indispensable factors in the treatment of cervicogenic headaches.