Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39740198›Full record

ReviewBrain and behavior2025

Primary Headache Attributed to External Compression or Traction to the Head: A Narrative Review.

Ole Hensel, Torsten Kraya

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain and behavior, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Ole HenselUniversity Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2614-4294
Torsten KrayaUniversity Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe aim of this review is to synthesize the existing knowledge regarding headaches attributed to external physical stimuli, as classified by the ICHD-3 (Group 4.6). Two forms can be distinguished in this group: (1) headache attributed to external compression and (2) headache attributed to external traction.

methodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted using the Medline (PubMed) database and other relevant academic sources. All English-language articles were subjected to a relevance assessment.

resultsThe prevalence of the two types of headache varies considerably, with a higher incidence observed in women or in the presence of predisposing factors (e.g., work with compulsory helmets or long hair). An external-compression headache is typically described as a pressing sensation, whereas an external-traction headache is characterized by a sensation of pulling. The headaches typically persist for less than an hour after the stimulus has ceased, and the intensity is typically reported as mild to moderate. Apart from avoiding the trigger, which is not always possible, effective therapies have not been established.

conclusionBoth types of headaches are relatively common, yet they remain underrepresented in the scientific literature. Furthermore, there is a dearth of comprehensive overviews. If the triggering factor cannot be eliminated, both types of headaches can interfere with daily living and working.

Indexed as

TractionHeadacheHeadache Disorders, PrimaryHumansPhysical Stimulationexternal‐compression headacheexternal‐traction headachehelmet headachehijab headacheponytail headache

Identifiers

PMID39740198
PMCPMC11685174

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.