Effect of Head and Neck Immobilization on Postspinal Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of head and neck immobilization on postdural puncture headache (PDPH) through the use of cervical collars.

DESIGN: This was a fully randomized controlled trial.

METHOD: The sample group of the study consisted of 120 patients. Patients in the experimental group were followed up by using the appropriate cervical collar after the operation. The cervical collar was kept on until mobilization. Follow-ups of patients in the control group continued without limiting head and neck movements. Headaches of patients in the experimental and control groups at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the operation were determined.

FINDINGS: The average age of the patients in the experimental group was 22.70 ± 2.72, whereas it was 22.93 ± 3.29 in the control group. The mean body mass index of the experimental group and control group was 24.24 ± 2.62 and 23.46 ± 3.03, respectively. The mean scores of the patients in the experimental and control groups on the Numeric Rating Scale were statistically significant in favor of patients in the experimental group in the interval of 24 and 48 hours (P < .05) and was not statistically significant after 72 hours (P > .05).

CONCLUSION: This study showed that prolonged immobility of the neck, in addition to bed rest, could not prevent PDPHs. The use of a cervical collar may help to delay PDPHs. may help to delay PDPHs.