Year: 2026 | Month: April-June | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 102-110
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260213
Effectiveness of Upper Cervical SNAG Versus Maitland Mobilization on Pain, Headache Disability and Depression in Patients with Cervicogenic Headache - An Experimental Study
Srushti Baxi1, Vinit Mody2
1MPT Student, Department of Physiotherapy, MPT Musculoskeletal Disorders & Sports
2Professor, Pioneer Physiotherapy College, Sayajipura, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Srushti Baxi (PT)
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic headache (CH), a common form of secondary headache, is considered to originate from the upper cervical spine, particularly the C1–C2 zygapophyseal joints. It is clinically characterized by pain localized to one side of the head, or predominantly on one side, without switching sides.
PURPOSE: To determine the effects of upper cervical SNAG versus Maitland mobilization on pain, headache disability and depression in patients with cervicogenic headache.
METHOD: Total 42 patients were included and divided into two groups. Group A was treated with upper cervical SNAG with conventional therapy and Group B was treated with Maitland mobilization with conventional therapy for 2 weeks. Outcome measures were assessed with pre and post intervention with Headache Diary, HIT-6, BDI-II.
RESULT: The results of this study showed statistically significant improvement in headache frequency, intensity, duration, Headache Impact Test-6, Beck Depression Inventory-II in patients with cervicogenic headache with the use of upper cervical SNAG and Maitland mobilization (within group analysis) (P value ≤ 0.001). In between group analysis, Maitland mobilization with conventional therapy was found to be more predominant than upper cervical SNAG with conventional therapy. Also, upper cervical SNAG and Maitland mobilization were equally effective in reducing headache frequency, intensity, duration and depression. (P value ≥ 0.02).
CONCLUSION: Maitland mobilization with conventional therapy was found to be more effective in reducing headache disability than upper cervical SNAG with conventional therapy. Also, upper cervical SNAG and Maitland mobilization were equally effective in reducing headache frequency, intensity, duration and depression.
Keywords: Upper cervical SNAG, Maitland mobilization, Headache Impact Test