[Amitriptyline in therapy of chronic tension headache].

Abstract

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the effect of 75 mg of a slow-release formulation of amitriptyline on the clinical severity of chronic tension-type headache and on headache-associated neurophysiological parameters (EMG activity, exteroceptive suppression of temporal muscle activity, contingent negative variation (CNV) and experimental pain sensitivity) was investigated. All of the patients treated had a history of headaches of many years standing, and numerous failed attempts at treatment. In the amitriptyline group, a significant reduction in daily headache duration was already found in the third week of treatment, while in the placebo group no significant changes in headache duration were to be seen. In week 6 the amitriptyline group had a significantly shorter daily duration of headache than the placebo group. Treatment did not result in any significant effects on EMG recording of pericranial muscle activity either during relaxation or contraction, on exteroceptive suppression of the temporal muscle and on CNV. The sensitivity to suprathreshold experimental pain, however, was significantly reduced. The data show a statistically relevant reduction of daily headache duration in chronic tension-type headache. However, they also show that amitriptyline can only partly alleviate chronic headaches but cannot cure them.

• Authors: H Göbel, V Hamouz, C Hansen, K Heininger, S Hirsch, V Lindner, D Heuss, D Soyka
• Journal: Der Nervenarzt (Nervenarzt) Vol. 65 Issue 10 Pg. 670-9 (Oct 1994) ISSN: 0028-2804 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Amitriptylin in der Therapie des chronischen Kopfschmerzes vom Spannungstyp.
• PMID: 7808565 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Amitriptyline

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Amitriptyline (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Contingent Negative Variation (drug effects)
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Electromyography (drug effects)
• Female
• Headache (drug therapy, psychology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Muscle Contraction (drug effects)
• Pain Measurement
• Stress, Psychological (complications)
• Temporal Muscle (drug effects)