Behavioral Headache Treatment: History, Review of the Empirical Literature, and Methodological Critique

Relaxation training and written emotional disclosure for tension or migraine headaches: a randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Behavioral medicine interventions that directly reduce arousal and negative emotions, such as relaxation training (RT), are conceptually different from interventions that temporarily increase negative emotions, such as written emotional disclosure (WED), but no studies have directly compared their efficacy. We compared the effects of RT and WED on people with tension or migraine headaches.

METHODS

College students with either tension (n = 51) or migraine (n = 90) headaches were randomized to one of three groups: RT, WED, or a neutral writing control condition; four sessions were held over 2 weeks. Mood was measured before and after each session, and outcomes (headache frequency, severity, disability, and general physical symptoms) were assessed at baseline and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups.

RESULTS

As expected, RT led to an immediate increase in calmness, whereas WED led to an immediate increase in negative mood, for both headache samples. Intent-to-treat analyses showed that, for the tension headache sample, RT led to improved headache frequency and disability compared to both WED and the control group, but WED had no effect. For migraine headaches, RT improved pain severity relative to the control group, but WED again had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

A brief RT protocol was effective for tension headaches, but WED had no effect on health status for either tension or migraine headaches. Modifications to WED, such as targeting people with unresolved stress, providing guidance to enhance the potency of the writing, or including additional at-home writing and exposure exercises, may improve its efficacy for people with headaches and other health problems.

Aerobic exercise with relaxation: influence on pain and psychological well-being in female migraine patients

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this pilot study was to address the influence of an aerobic exercise program combined with relaxation on pain and psychological variables in migraine patients.

DESIGN

Controlled, randomised design with half of the group receiving an intervention (aerobic exercise group) in addition to standard medical care received by all patients. SETTING/PATIENTS/OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Thirty female migraine outpatients completed a range of psychological questionnaires measuring sensational and affective dimensions of pain, body image, depression, and quality of life.

INTERVENTION

The aerobic exercise group (n = 15) participated in a 6-week, twice-weekly, indoor exercise program (45 minutes of gymnastics with music and 15 minutes of progressive muscle relaxation).

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

The program led to a significant reduction of self-rated migraine pain intensity. Although there was an improvement in depression-related symptoms within the aerobic exercise group, no significant differences in psychological variables between groups were found.

Management of migraine in adolescents

Headaches in children and adolescents are still under-diagnosed. 75% of children are affected by primary headache by the age of 15 with 28% fitting the ICHD2 criteria of migraine. Migraine is considered a chronic disorder that can severely impact a child's daily activities, including schooling and socializing. Early recognition and aggressive therapy, with acute and prophylactic treatments, as well as intensive biobehavioral interventions, are essential to control the migraine attacks and reverse the progression into intractable disabling headache.

Migraine patients as trainers of their fellow patients in non-pharmacological preventive attack management: short-term effects of a randomized controlled trial

In conformity with current views on patient empowerment, we designed and evaluated the effects of home-based behavioural training (BT) provided by lay trainers with migraine to small groups of fellow patients. The primary aims of BT were to reduce attack frequency and increase perceived control over and self-confidence in attack prevention. In a randomized controlled trial the BT group (n = 51) was compared with a waitlist-control group (WLC), receiving usual care (n = 57). BT produced a minor (-21%) short-term effect on attack frequency and clinically significant improvement in 35% of the participants. Covariance analysis showed a non-significant trend (P = 0.07) compared with WLC. However, patients' perceived control over migraine attacks and self-confidence in attack prevention increased significantly with large effect sizes. Patients with high baseline attack frequency might benefit more from BT than those with low attack frequency. In conclusion, lay trainers with migraine strengthened fellow patients' perceived control, but did not induce a significant immediate improvement in attack frequency.

Challenges of nonpharmacologic interventions in chronic tension-type headache

Interest in nonpharmacologic interventions for chronic tension-type headache has increased in recent years, with many professional organizations recommending behavioral treatments such as relaxation training, biofeedback, and cognitive-behavioral therapy alongside pharmacologic treatments. Although the efficacy of behavioral interventions is well-documented, several potential barriers in dissemination and implementation exist that have precluded more widespread adoption of behavioral treatments. This article briefly reviews the core components and efficacy of behavioral treatments for tension-type headache and outlines challenges to their broader clinical use as they occur at the levels of empirical research, treatment availability and delivery, and common clinical problems. Strategies for addressing these challenges are suggested, and directions for needed research are noted.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy versus temporal pulse amplitude biofeedback training for recurrent headache

Sixty-four headache sufferers were allocated randomly to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), temporal pulse amplitude (TPA) biofeedback training, or waiting-list control. Fifty-one participants (14M/37F) completed the study, 30 with migraine and 21 with tension-type headache. Treatment consisted of 8, 1-hour sessions. CBT was highly effective, with an average reduction in headaches from pre- to posttreatment of 68%, compared with 56% for biofeedback, and 20% for the control condition. Headaches continued to decrease to 12 month follow-up for CBT. Improvement with CBT was associated with baseline coping skills, social support, and physiological measures at rest and in response to stress, particularly TPA. Changes on some of these measures were correlated with changes in headaches. No significant predictors of response to biofeedback emerged.

Pediatric headache: an examination of process variables in treatment

The goal of this article is to provide a rational methodological review of studies addressing the treatment of childhood headache. In particular, the goal is to provide a review of process variables that may be associated with the efficacy of behavioral and psychological treatments for childhood headache. A search for studies that examined the efficacy of treatment for headache among children younger than 12 years of age was conducted using Medline from 1966 to 2005. A total of 9 studies were selected for the present systematic review. The findings from this study suggest that although research supports the use of behavioral treatments for headache among this patient population, process variables such as child demographics, as well as treatment characteristics such as time in treatment, may moderate treatment efficacy.

The GRIM2005 study of migraine consultation in France I. Determinants of consultation for migraine headache in France

The aim of this study was to evaluate determinants of consultation for migraine in a representative sample of the French general adult population. We interviewed 10,032 subjects, of whom 1534 fulfilled the International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine. These were categorized into migraine, probable migraine and chronic migraine. Information was collected on consultation experience; 436 subjects (28.4%) had never consulted for headache, 473 (30.8%) were in active consultation and 625 (40.7%) had previously consulted but lapsed. Subjects with chronic migraine showed the highest active consultation rates (51.8%). All subjects completed rating instruments for headache [Headache Impact Test (HIT)-6], psychiatric (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scale) and psychological [Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Brief COPE Inventory and Coping Strategy Questionnaire] variables. The strongest determinants of active consultation were BIPQ scores, HIT-6 scores and migraine type. Consultation was associated with maladaptive coping strategies (social support, emotional expression and acceptance). Determinants of remaining in consultation were catastrophizing coping scores and previous consultation experience.

A randomized clinical trial of targeted cognitive behavioral treatment to reduce catastrophizing in chronic headache sufferers

This randomized clinical trial (RCT) examined the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) specifically targeted toward reducing pain catastrophizing for persons with chronic headache. Immediate treatment groups were compared with wait-list control groups. Differential treatment gains based on the order of presentation of 2 components of CBT (cognitive restructuring and cognitive/behavioral coping) and the role of catastrophizing in treatment outcome were examined. Thirty-four participants enrolled in a 10-week group treatment and 11 completed a wait-list self-monitoring period. Participants reported significant reductions in catastrophizing and anxiety and increased self-efficacy compared with wait-list control subjects, and these were maintained at follow-up. Although we did not find overall differences in the reduction of headache frequency or intensity compared with wait-list control subjects, calculation of clinical significance on headache indicators suggest that approximately 50% of treated participants showed meaningful changes in headache indices as well. Order of treatment modules was not related to gains during treatment or at follow-up; however, almost all changes occurred during the second half of treatment, suggesting that duration of treatment participation is important.

PERSPECTIVE

Cognitive-behavioral treatment targeting reduction of catastrophizing for chronic headache pain reduced negative cognitive and affective variables associated with recurrent headache, increased headache management self-efficacy, and in half of the participants, produced clinically meaningful reductions in headache indicators. Length of treatment is an important factor to consider when providing CBT for chronic pain.

Use of mind-body therapies in psychiatry and family medicine faculty and residents: attitudes, barriers, and gender differences

BACKGROUND

Mind-body medicine (MBM) approaches to many health problems have been well documented in the literature, including through multiple meta-analyses. Efficacy has been well demonstrated in conditions such as headache, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, fibromyalgia, hypertension, low back pain, depression, cancer symptoms, and postmyocardial infarction. However, an apparent disconnect (ie, translational block) prevents more widespread adoption of such therapies into practice. Biofeedback, relaxation therapy, hypnosis, guided imagery, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychoeducational approaches are the domain of MBM we examined in assessing physician attitudes, beliefs, and practices.

METHODS

Using a Web-based survey, we obtained responses from 74 faculty and resident physicians in the Department of Family Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry. Our response rate was 69%. We conducted descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model. Various statistics were chosen depending on the nature of analyzed variables. Synoptic tables are presented.

RESULTS

Comparing these cohorts, we found little difference between physicians in the two specialties, but substantial reports that barriers to the use of MBM were largely based on lack of training, inadequate expertise, and insufficient clinic time. Lack of expertise and insufficient clinic time were higher among family physicians than among psychiatrists. There was a high interest in both groups in learning relaxation techniques and meditation and lower interest in biofeedback and hypnosis. Female physicians were significantly more likely to use MBM, both with patients and for their own self-care, and were less likely to be concerned that recommending these therapies would make patients feel that their symptoms were being discounted. Female physicians also had significantly higher beliefs about the benefits of MBM on health disorders in several of the conditions examined, with a consistent though nonsignificant trend in others.

Basic principles and techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapies for comorbid psychiatric symptoms among headache patients

Recent research on headache has focused on identifying the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in headache patients and discerning the impact of psychiatric comorbidity on treatment of headache. The presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety and depression, in headache patients is now a well-documented phenomenon. Existing but limited empirical data suggest that psychiatric comorbidity exacerbates headache and negatively impacts treatment of headache. Problematically, these findings have not yet eventuated in improved treatments for individuals suffering from both headache and a psychiatric disorder(s). The present article is an attempt to describe the application of cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) for depressive and anxiety disorders to headache patients who present with psychiatric comorbidity. We discuss the origins of the chronic care model in relation to CBT, review basic cognitive-behavioral principles in treating depression and anxiety, and offer clinical recommendations for integrating CBT into existing headache treatment protocols. Directions for future research are outlined, including the need for treatment outcome studies that examine the effects of treating comorbid psychiatric disorders on headache (and vice versa) and the feasibility of developing an integrated CBT protocol that addresses both conditions simultaneously.

The triggers or precipitants of the acute migraine attack

The aim of this study was to evaluate and define the triggers of the acute migraine attack. Patients rated triggers on a 0-3 scale for the average headache. Demographics, prodrome, aura, headache characteristics, postdrome, medication responsiveness, acute and chronic disability, sleep characteristics and social and personal characteristics were also recorded. One thousand two hundred and seven International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 (1.1-1.2, and 1.5.1) patients were evaluated, of whom 75.9% reported triggers (40.4% infrequently, 26.7% frequently and 8.8% very frequently). The trigger frequencies were stress (79.7%), hormones in women (65.1%), not eating (57.3%), weather (53.2%), sleep disturbance (49.8%), perfume or odour (43.7%), neck pain (38.4%), light(s) (38.1%), alcohol (37.8%), smoke (35.7%), sleeping late (32.0%), heat (30.3%), food (26.9%), exercise (22.1%) and sexual activity (5.2%). Triggers were more likely to be associated with a more florid acute migraine attack. Differences were seen between women and men, aura and no aura, episodic and chronic migraine, and between migraine and probable migraine.

Management of functional somatic syndromes

Although functional somatic syndromes (FSS) show substantial overlap, treatment research is mostly confined to single syndromes, with a lack of valid and generally accepted diagnostic criteria across medical specialties. Here, we review management for the full variety of FSS, drawn from systematic reviews and meta-analyses since 2001, and give recommendations for a stepped care approach that differentiates between uncomplicated and complicated FSS. Non-pharmacological treatments involving active participation of patients, such as exercise and psychotherapy, seem to be more effective than those that involve passive physical measures, including injections and operations. Pharmacological agents with CNS action seem to be more consistently effective than drugs aiming at restoration of peripheral physiological dysfunction. A balance between biomedical, organ-oriented, and cognitive interpersonal approaches is most appropriate at this truly psychosomatic interface. In view of the iatrogenic component in the maintenance of FSS, doctor-centred interventions and close observation of the doctor-patient relationship are of particular importance.

Understanding psychological stress, its biological processes, and impact on primary headache

Psychological stress is generally acknowledged to be a central contributor to primary headache. Stress results from any challenge or threat, either real or perceived, to normal functioning. The stress response is the body's activation of physiological systems, namely the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, to protect and restore functioning. Chronic activation of the stress response can lead to wear and tear that eventually can predispose an individual to disease. There are multiple ways that stress and headache are closely related. Stress can (a) be a predisposing factor that contributes to headache disorder onset, (b) accelerate the progression of the headache disorder into a chronic condition, and (c) precipitate and exacerbate individual headache episodes. How stress impacts headache is not often understood. However, stress is assumed to affect primary headache by directly impacting pain production and modulation processes at both the peripheral and central levels. Stress can also independently worsen headache-related disability and quality of life. Finally, the headache experience itself can serve as a stressor that compromises an individual's health and well-being. With the prominent role that stress plays in headache, there are implications for the evaluation of stress and the use of stress reduction strategies at the various stages of headache disorder onset and progression. Future directions can help to develop a better empirical understanding of the pattern of the stress and headache connections and the mechanisms that explain the connections. Further research can also examine the interactive effects of stress and other factors that impact headache disorder onset, course, and adjustment.

Migraine triggered by sucralose--a case report

Sucralose is the active compound of the most commonly sold sweetener in the United States. Different than aspartame, sucralose is not considered to be a migraine trigger. Herein we report a patient with attacks of migraine consistently triggered by sucralose. She also suffers from menstrually related migraine that had been well-controlled for several months since she switched her contraceptive from fixed estrogen to triphasic contraceptive pills. Some attacks triggered by sucralose were preceded by aura, and she had never experienced migraine with aura before. Withdrawal of the compound was associated with complete resolution of the attacks. Single-blind exposure (vs. sugar) triggered the attacks, after an attack-free period.

Treatment options for migraine during pregnancy

Migraine and pregnancy commonly co-exist and healthcare providers should be ready to give advice to women with migraine regarding treatment options that are compatible with pregnancy and lactation. A major goal of treatment is to avoid medications that may be harmful to the developing fetus or cause other pregnancy problems. Nonpharmacological behavioral methods of treatment are especially useful in pregnancy. Migraine increases the risk of pregnancy-related stroke and pre-eclampsia and women with migraine should be monitored for these problems.

Tension-type headache in childhood and adolescence

The prevalence of non-migrainous headache is 10-25% in childhood and adolescence. Although tension-type headache and migraine are the two most common types of headache in children and adolescents, most articles address migraine headache. The distinction of tension-type headache from migraine can be difficult; use of The International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria helps. However, these criteria might be too restrictive to differentiate tension-type headache from migraine without aura in children. The pathophysiology of tension-type headache is largely unknown. The smaller genetic effect on tension-type headache than on migraine suggests that the two disorders are distinct. However, many believe that tension-type headache and migraine represent the same pathophysiological spectrum. Some indications of effective treatment exist. For children with frequent headache, the antidepressant amitriptyline might be beneficial for prophylaxis, although no placebo-controlled studies have been done. Restricted studies have suggested the efficacy of psychological and cognitive behavioural approaches in the treatment of childhood tension-type headache.

Antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy for symptom syndromes

Somatic symptoms are common in primary care and clinicians often prescribe antidepressants as adjunctive therapy. There are many possible reasons why this may work, including treating comorbid depression or anxiety, inhibition of ascending pain pathways, inhibition of prefrontal cortical areas that are responsible for "attention" to noxious stimuli, and the direct effects of the medications on the syndrome. There are good theoretical reasons why antidepressants with balanced norepinephrine and serotonin effects may be more effective than those that act predominantly on one pathway, though head-to-head comparisons are lacking. For the 11 painful syndromes review in this article, cognitive-behavioral therapy is most consistently demonstrated to be effective, with various antidepressants having more or less randomized controlled data supporting or refuting effectiveness. This article reviews the randomized controlled trial data for the use of antidepressant and cognitive-behavior therapy for 11 somatic syndromes: irritable bowel syndrome, chronic back pain, headache, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, menopausal symptoms, chronic facial pain, noncardiac chest pain, interstitial cystitis, and chronic pelvic pain. For some syndromes, the data for or against treatment effectiveness is relatively robust, for many, however, the data, one way or the other is scanty.

Neuropsychologic aspects of post-traumatic headache and chronic daily headache

The management of patients with chronic refractory head pain remains a treatment challenge. Treatment focus should be multidisciplinary as patients evolve into a deteriorated status with psychologic, social, vocational, and cognitive dysfunction. The neuropsychologist will gather premorbid and comorbid information, assess cognitive functioning, and be involved in every behavioral medicine and treatment decision. The patient with post-traumatic head pain copes with head injury sequelae. Issues related to worker's compensation, insurance, disability decisions, and litigation are intrinsic to these patient groups.

Behavioral headache research: methodologic considerations and research design alternatives

Behavioral headache treatments have garnered solid empirical support in recent years, but there is substantial opportunity to strengthen the next generation of studies with improved methods and consistency across studies. Recently, Guidelines for Trials of Behavioral Treatments for Recurrent Headache were published to facilitate the production of high-quality research. The present article compliments the guidelines with a discussion of methodologic and research design considerations. Since there is no research design that is applicable in every situation, selecting an appropriate research design is fundamental to producing meaningful results. Investigators in behavioral headache and other areas of research consider the developmental phase of the research, the principle objectives of the project, and the sources of error or alternative interpretations in selecting a design. Phases of clinical trials typically include pilot studies, efficacy studies, and effectiveness studies. These trials may be categorized as primarily pragmatic or explanatory. The most appropriate research designs for these different phases and different objectives vary on such characteristics as sample size and assignment to condition, types of control conditions, periods or frequency of measurement, and the dimensions along which comparisons are made. A research design also must fit within constraints on available resources. There are a large number of potential research designs that can be used and considering these characteristics allows selection of appropriate research designs.

Guidelines for Trials of Behavioral Treatments for Recurrent Headache, First Edition: American Headache Society Behavioral Clinical Trials Workgroup

Guidelines for design of clinical trials evaluating behavioral headache treatments were developed to facilitate production of quality research evaluating behavioral therapies for management of primary headache disorders. These guidelines were produced by a Workgroup of headache researchers under auspices of the American Headache Society. The guidelines are complementary to and modeled after guidelines for pharmacological trials published by the International Headache Society, but they address methodologic considerations unique to behavioral and other nonpharmacological treatments. Explicit guidelines for evaluating behavioral headache therapies are needed as the optimal methodology for behavioral (and other nonpharmacologic) trials necessarily differs from the preferred methodology for drug trials. In addition, trials comparing and integrating drug and behavioral therapies present methodological challenges not addressed by guidelines for pharmacologic research. These guidelines address patient selection, trial design for behavioral treatments and for comparisons across multiple treatment modalities (eg, behavioral vs pharmacologic), evaluation of results, and research ethics. Although developed specifically for behavioral therapies, the guidelines may apply to the design of clinical trials evaluating many forms of nonpharmacologic therapies for headache.