Chronic migraine and cervicalgia have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Traditional treatment methods do not always provide long-term improvement, which necessitates the search for alternative methods of therapy. Electrotherapy and botulinum therapy are considered as promising methods for reducing pain and improving the general condition of patients.

OBJECTIVE

Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of electrotherapy and botulinum therapy on muscle tone and pain syndrome in patients with chronic migraine and cervicalgia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 61 patients with chronic migraine and cervicalgia, divided into two groups. Patients of the first group (n=31) received a course of electrotherapy (TENS), patients of the second group (n=30) — botulinum therapy. The pain threshold was assessed by the method of algometry before and one month after treatment in key muscle groups (sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles).

RESULTS

Under the influence of electrotherapy and botulinum therapy, a significant reduction in pain syndrome was noted. However, patients who received electrotherapy had a more pronounced decrease in muscle tone and pain in all muscle groups studied, which was confirmed by a significant increase in the pain threshold (by 53—71%) compared to botulinum therapy (by 26—38%).

CONCLUSION

Electrotherapy and botulinum therapy are effective methods of treating chronic migraine and cervicalgia, but electrotherapy showed more pronounced results in reducing muscle tone and pain. These studies confirm the feasibility of using electrotherapy as a preferred method of treating this category of patients.