PLoS One 2024 (Mar 29); 19 (3): e0300737

Table 3. Between-group comparisons presented as mean differences (1^st: CSM × TSM; 2^nd: CSM × CPT; 3^rd: TSM × CPT).

Variable / Time 4 weeks 8 weeks 6 months

Mean difference 95% (upper limit–lower limit)

CgH Frequency
CSM × TSM 2.9 (2.02 to 3.77) 3.3 (2.72 to 3.87) 3.2 (2.71 to 3.68)

P–value 0.001, d = 1.93 0.001, d = 0.36 0.001, d = 5.33

CSM × CPT 4.6 (3.72 to 5.47) 7.2 (6.62 to 7.77) 7.9 (7.41 to 8.38)

P–value 0.001, d = 3.28 0.001, d = 7.20 0.001, d = 9.80

TSM × CPT 1.7 (0.82 to 2.57) 3.9 (3.32 to 4.47) 4.7 (4.21 to 5.18)

P–value 0.001, d = 1.13 0.001, d = 3.90 0.004, d = 5.22

CgH Pain Intensity
CSM × TSM 1.1 (0.80 to 1.39) 1.3 (1.06 to 1.53) 0.9 (0.71 to 1.08)

P–value 0.001, d = 2.2 0.001, d = 0.32 0.001, d = 3.6

CSM × CPT 2.1 (1.80 to 2.39) 2.3 (2.06 to 2.53) 2.9 (2.71 to 3.08)

P–value 0.001, d = 4.2 0.003, d = 5.75 0.874 d = 9.66

TSM × CPT 1.0 (0.70 to 1.29) 1.0 (0.76 to 1.23) 2.0 (1.81 to 2.18)

P–value 0.001, d = 2.0 0.001, d = 2.5 0.108, d = 5.71

CgH Disability CSM × TSM 3.6 (0.39 to 6.90) 5.3 (2.55 to 8.08) 8.3 (5.88 to 10.81)

P–value 0.024, d = 0.65 0.001, d = 1.12 0.001, d = 2.01

CSM × CPT 6.6 (3.39 to 9.90) 13.2 (10.49 to 16.02) 17.1 (14.7 to 19.6)

P–value 0.001, d = 1.23 0.001, d = 3.01 0.001, d = 4.34

TSM × CPT 3.00 (-0.25 to 6.25) 7.9 (5.17 to 10.70) 8.8 (6.3 to 11.2)

P–value 0.774, d = 0.55 0.001, d = 1.65 0.001, d = 2.05

Neck pain frequency
CSM × TSM 2.7 (1.32 to 4.07) 3.0 (2.02 to 3.97) 4.8 (4.18 to 5.41)

P–value 0.001, d = 1.17 0.001, d = 1.76 0.001, d = 7.38

CSM × CPT 4.6 (3.22 to 5.97) 8.9 (7.92 to 8.97) 12.7 (12.08 to 13.31)

P–value 0.001, d = 2.04 0.002, d = 2.04 0.874, d = 13.36

TSM × CPT 1.9 (0.52 to 3.27) 5.9 (4.92 to 6.87) 7.9 (7.28 to 8.51)

P–value 0.003, d = 0.80 0.001, d = 3.57 0.746, d = 6.58

Neck pain intensity
CSM × TSM 1.4 (1.08 to 1.71) 1.6 (1.34 to 1.85) 1.3 (1.09 to 1.50)

P–value 0.001, d = 2.54 0.001, d = 3.55 0.001, d = 4.33

CSM × CPT 1.3 (0.98 to 1.61) 2.5 (2.24 to 2.75) 3.1 (2.89 to 3.30)

P–value 0.001, d = 2.60 0.001, d = 6.25 0.873, d = 10.3

TSM × CPT -0.1 (-0.41 to 0.21) 0.9 (0.64 to 1.15) 1.8 (1.59 to 2.00)

P–value 0.736, d = 0.18 0.001, d = 2.0 0.001, d = 4.5

Neck pain threshold
CSM × TSM -2.2 (-14.83 to 10.43) -2.1 (-13.47 to 9.27) -9.9 (-20.38 to 0.58)

P–value 0.909, d = 0.10 0.899, d = 0.11 0.068, d = 0.55

CSM × CPT -5 (-17.63 to 7.63) -6.7 (-18.07 to 4.67) -18.7 (-29.18 to -8.21)

P–value 0.614, d = 0.23 0.343, d = 0.35 0.001, d = 1.08

TSM × CPT -2.8 (15.43 to 9.83) -4.6 (-15.97 to 6.77) -8.8 (-19.28 to 1.68)

P–value 0.857, d = 0.12 0.602, d = 0.23 0.118, d = 0.49

Flexion rotation test (Right side) CSM × TSM -1.5 (-5.36 to 2.22) -4.5 (-7.9 to -1.1) -6.9 (-10.21 to -3.76)

P–value 0.587, d = 0.24 0.005, d = 0.83 0.001, d = 1.34

CSM × CPT -4.64 (-8.43 to -0.84) -8.3 (-11.7 to -4.91) -12.9 (-16.12 to -9.67)

P–value 0.012, d = 0.72 0.001, d = 1.42 0.001, d = 2.32

TSM × CPT -3.07 (-6.86 to 0.72) -3.74 (-7.13 to -0.34) -5.91 (-9.13 to -2.68)

P–value 0.136, d = 0.47 0.027, d = 0.65 0.001, d = 1.08

Flexion rotation test (Left side) CSM × TSM -5.19 (-8.68 to -1.69) -5.2 (-8.41 to -2.14), -8.0 (-10.99 to -5.00)

P–value 0.001, d = 0.87 0.001, d = 1.00 0.001, d = 1.56

CSM × CPT -6.4 (-9.98 to -2.99) -7.8 (-11.02 to -4.75) -12.31 (-15.30 to -9.31)

P–value 0.001, d = 1.10 0.001, d = 1.53 0.001, d = 2.46

TSM × CPT -1.3 (-4.79 to 2.19) -2.61 (-5.74 to 0.52) -4.31 (-7.30 to -1.31)

P–value 0.650, d = 0.22 0.122, d = 0.49 0.002, d = 0.86

Neck Disability Index CSM × TSM 5.98 (0.17 to 11.78) 6.49 (2.67 to 10.30) 12.28 (9.19 to 15.36)

P–value 0.041, d = 0.62 0.001, d = 1.05 0.001, d = 2.79

CSM × CPT 7.96 (2.15 to 13.76) 13.7 (9.88 to 17.51) 23.64 (20.55 to 26.72)

P–value 0.004, d = 0.82 0.001, d = 1.43 0.001, d = 4.87

TSM × CPT 1.98 (-3.82 to 7.78) 7.21 (3.39 to 11.02) 11.36 (8.27 to 14.44)

P–value 0.696, d = 0.19 0.001, d = 1.10 0.001, d = 1.95

Quality of life CSM × TSM -12.0 (-14.76 to -9.23) -9.2 (-12.2 to -6.1) -16.8 (-20.19 to -13.40)

P–value 0.001, d = 2.5 0.001, d = 1.73 0.001, d = 2.77

CSM × CPT -13.4 (-16.16 to -10.63) -24.4 (-27.4 to -21.37) -32.5 (-35.89 to -29.10)

P–value 0.001, d = 2.94 0.001, d = 4.83 0.002, d = 5.85

TSM × CPT -1.4 (-4.16 to 1.36) -15.20 (-18.22 to -12.17) -15.7 (-19.09 to -12.30)

P–value 0.452, d = 0.30 0.001, d = 5.85 0.001, d = 2.90

CSM = Cervical spine manipulation,
TSM = Thoracic spine manipulation,
CPT = Conventional physiotherapy,
CgH = Cervicogenic Headache,
d–Cohen’s d (effect size).

Variable / Time		4 weeks	8 weeks	6 months
Variable / Time		Mean difference 95% (upper limit–lower limit)

CgH Frequency	CSM × TSM	2.9 (2.02 to 3.77)	3.3 (2.72 to 3.87)	3.2 (2.71 to 3.68)
	P–value	0.001, d = 1.93	0.001, d = 0.36	0.001, d = 5.33

	CSM × CPT	4.6 (3.72 to 5.47)	7.2 (6.62 to 7.77)	7.9 (7.41 to 8.38)
	P–value	0.001, d = 3.28	0.001, d = 7.20	0.001, d = 9.80
	TSM × CPT	1.7 (0.82 to 2.57)	3.9 (3.32 to 4.47)	4.7 (4.21 to 5.18)
P–value	0.001, d = 1.13	0.001, d = 3.90	0.004, d = 5.22

CgH Pain Intensity	CSM × TSM	1.1 (0.80 to 1.39)	1.3 (1.06 to 1.53)	0.9 (0.71 to 1.08)
	P–value	0.001, d = 2.2	0.001, d = 0.32	0.001, d = 3.6
	CSM × CPT	2.1 (1.80 to 2.39)	2.3 (2.06 to 2.53)	2.9 (2.71 to 3.08)
	P–value	0.001, d = 4.2	0.003, d = 5.75	0.874 d = 9.66
	TSM × CPT	1.0 (0.70 to 1.29)	1.0 (0.76 to 1.23)	2.0 (1.81 to 2.18)
	P–value	0.001, d = 2.0	0.001, d = 2.5	0.108, d = 5.71

CgH Disability	CSM × TSM	3.6 (0.39 to 6.90)	5.3 (2.55 to 8.08)	8.3 (5.88 to 10.81)
	P–value	0.024, d = 0.65	0.001, d = 1.12	0.001, d = 2.01
	CSM × CPT	6.6 (3.39 to 9.90)	13.2 (10.49 to 16.02)	17.1 (14.7 to 19.6)
	P–value	0.001, d = 1.23	0.001, d = 3.01	0.001, d = 4.34
	TSM × CPT	3.00 (-0.25 to 6.25)	7.9 (5.17 to 10.70)	8.8 (6.3 to 11.2)
	P–value	0.774, d = 0.55	0.001, d = 1.65	0.001, d = 2.05

Neck pain frequency	CSM × TSM	2.7 (1.32 to 4.07)	3.0 (2.02 to 3.97)	4.8 (4.18 to 5.41)
	P–value	0.001, d = 1.17	0.001, d = 1.76	0.001, d = 7.38
	CSM × CPT	4.6 (3.22 to 5.97)	8.9 (7.92 to 8.97)	12.7 (12.08 to 13.31)
	P–value	0.001, d = 2.04	0.002, d = 2.04	0.874, d = 13.36
	TSM × CPT	1.9 (0.52 to 3.27)	5.9 (4.92 to 6.87)	7.9 (7.28 to 8.51)
	P–value	0.003, d = 0.80	0.001, d = 3.57	0.746, d = 6.58

Neck pain intensity	CSM × TSM	1.4 (1.08 to 1.71)	1.6 (1.34 to 1.85)	1.3 (1.09 to 1.50)
	P–value	0.001, d = 2.54	0.001, d = 3.55	0.001, d = 4.33
	CSM × CPT	1.3 (0.98 to 1.61)	2.5 (2.24 to 2.75)	3.1 (2.89 to 3.30)
	P–value	0.001, d = 2.60	0.001, d = 6.25	0.873, d = 10.3
	TSM × CPT	-0.1 (-0.41 to 0.21)	0.9 (0.64 to 1.15)	1.8 (1.59 to 2.00)
	P–value	0.736, d = 0.18	0.001, d = 2.0	0.001, d = 4.5

Neck pain threshold	CSM × TSM	-2.2 (-14.83 to 10.43)	-2.1 (-13.47 to 9.27)	-9.9 (-20.38 to 0.58)
	P–value	0.909, d = 0.10	0.899, d = 0.11	0.068, d = 0.55
	CSM × CPT	-5 (-17.63 to 7.63)	-6.7 (-18.07 to 4.67)	-18.7 (-29.18 to -8.21)
	P–value	0.614, d = 0.23	0.343, d = 0.35	0.001, d = 1.08
	TSM × CPT	-2.8 (15.43 to 9.83)	-4.6 (-15.97 to 6.77)	-8.8 (-19.28 to 1.68)
	P–value	0.857, d = 0.12	0.602, d = 0.23	0.118, d = 0.49

Flexion rotation test (Right side)	CSM × TSM	-1.5 (-5.36 to 2.22)	-4.5 (-7.9 to -1.1)	-6.9 (-10.21 to -3.76)
	P–value	0.587, d = 0.24	0.005, d = 0.83	0.001, d = 1.34
	CSM × CPT	-4.64 (-8.43 to -0.84)	-8.3 (-11.7 to -4.91)	-12.9 (-16.12 to -9.67)
	P–value	0.012, d = 0.72	0.001, d = 1.42	0.001, d = 2.32
	TSM × CPT	-3.07 (-6.86 to 0.72)	-3.74 (-7.13 to -0.34)	-5.91 (-9.13 to -2.68)
	P–value	0.136, d = 0.47	0.027, d = 0.65	0.001, d = 1.08

Flexion rotation test (Left side)	CSM × TSM	-5.19 (-8.68 to -1.69)	-5.2 (-8.41 to -2.14),	-8.0 (-10.99 to -5.00)
	P–value	0.001, d = 0.87	0.001, d = 1.00	0.001, d = 1.56
	CSM × CPT	-6.4 (-9.98 to -2.99)	-7.8 (-11.02 to -4.75)	-12.31 (-15.30 to -9.31)
	P–value	0.001, d = 1.10	0.001, d = 1.53	0.001, d = 2.46
	TSM × CPT	-1.3 (-4.79 to 2.19)	-2.61 (-5.74 to 0.52)	-4.31 (-7.30 to -1.31)
	P–value	0.650, d = 0.22	0.122, d = 0.49	0.002, d = 0.86

Neck Disability Index	CSM × TSM	5.98 (0.17 to 11.78)	6.49 (2.67 to 10.30)	12.28 (9.19 to 15.36)
	P–value	0.041, d = 0.62	0.001, d = 1.05	0.001, d = 2.79
	CSM × CPT	7.96 (2.15 to 13.76)	13.7 (9.88 to 17.51)	23.64 (20.55 to 26.72)
	P–value	0.004, d = 0.82	0.001, d = 1.43	0.001, d = 4.87
	TSM × CPT	1.98 (-3.82 to 7.78)	7.21 (3.39 to 11.02)	11.36 (8.27 to 14.44)
	P–value	0.696, d = 0.19	0.001, d = 1.10	0.001, d = 1.95

Quality of life	CSM × TSM	-12.0 (-14.76 to -9.23)	-9.2 (-12.2 to -6.1)	-16.8 (-20.19 to -13.40)
	P–value	0.001, d = 2.5	0.001, d = 1.73	0.001, d = 2.77
	CSM × CPT	-13.4 (-16.16 to -10.63)	-24.4 (-27.4 to -21.37)	-32.5 (-35.89 to -29.10)
	P–value	0.001, d = 2.94	0.001, d = 4.83	0.002, d = 5.85
	TSM × CPT	-1.4 (-4.16 to 1.36)	-15.20 (-18.22 to -12.17)	-15.7 (-19.09 to -12.30)
	P–value	0.452, d = 0.30	0.001, d = 5.85	0.001, d = 2.90

Table 3. Between-group comparisons presented as mean differences (1st: CSM × TSM; 2nd: CSM × CPT; 3rd: TSM × CPT).

Table 3. Between-group comparisons presented as mean differences (1^st: CSM × TSM; 2^nd: CSM × CPT; 3^rd: TSM × CPT).