The Evidence for the Role of Nutraceuticals in the Management of Pediatric Migraine: a Review

Non-Pharmacological Treatments in Paediatric Migraine

Psychological, social, and biological aspects contribute synergistically to the maintenance and chronicity of pain in primary headaches. An integrated intervention seems to be the most appropriate in the management of these conditions, taking advantage not only of pharmacological strategies, but also of different approaches according to the global assessment and patient necessities. In this perspective, non-pharmacological treatments are becoming increasingly used to overcome these issues also in paediatric migraine treatment. Particularly, nutraceuticals, non-invasive neuromodulation, and behavioural approaches are well tolerated and of potential interest. This paper aims to present the main approaches reported in the literature in the management of migraine in children and adolescents presenting an up-to-date review of the current literature. We therefore performed a narrative presentation for each of these three categories: nutraceuticals (riboflavin; magnesium; melatonin; vitamin D; coenzyme Q10; and polyunsaturated fatty acid); non-invasive neuromodulation (trigeminal nerve stimulator; non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation; transcranial magnetic stimulation; and remote electrical neuromodulation), and behavioural therapies (biofeedback; cognitive behavioural therapy; and mindfulness-based therapy). These approaches are increasingly seen as a valid treatment option in primary headache management also in paediatrics, avoiding medication overuse and drug treatment contraindications.

Diagnostic Algorithm for Pediatric Headaches: A Clinical Improvement Initiative

BACKGROUND

The widespread variation in diagnosing primary headache disorders in children and adolescents results in reduced quality and high costs. Defining an algorithm for primary headache diagnoses in children and adolescents is part of a larger initiative to standardize and improve care. The aim of this algorithm was to increase the accuracy of headache diagnosis by formal criteria to more than 80% of patient encounters.

METHODS

A team of headache specialists, nurse practitioners, nurses, data analysts, and business specialists developed an algorithm based on available scientific evidence. This algorithm was vetted and adapted by the neurology faculty and headache specialists until final consensus was reached. Following three months of testing and validation, the algorithm was disseminated to general pediatric neurology clinics. The following information was gathered: percent of encounters utilizing the algorithm, percentage of encounters with appropriate diagnosis by formal criteria, percentage of encounters with appropriate testing ordered, and average cost per headache visit.

RESULTS

Correct diagnosis of primary headache by International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 criteria improved from 72% to 90% and appropriate testing improved from 80% to 94%. By the end of analysis, 94% of encounters were correctly implementing the algorithm. A year-long tracking revealed decreased cost of headache evaluation by 6% compared with the year prior.

CONCLUSIONS

A standardized algorithm improved the diagnostic accuracy in general child neurology clinics. Expanding the algorithm to primary care and pediatric emergency rooms could have a greater impact on headache evaluation and diagnosis; this should result in improved care and outcomes with reduced cost.

The association of serum vitamin D concentrations in paediatric migraine

INTRODUCTION

Migraine is a neurologic condition characterized by hypersensitivity to auditory, olfactory, visual, and cutaneous stimuli; vomiting and nausea; and severe headache. It is the most frequent headache syndrome in children and can be categorized in chronic and/or episodic. Multiple dietary supplements have been inaugurated for the management of migraine, the most prevalent of which is vitamin D.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, vitamin D deficiency has been a global public health problem, with 30-80% of the worldwide population having vitamin D deficiency. The significant role of vitamin D in neurological disorders is underlined by its key role in the brain function of the central nervous system (CNS). Current approaches in paediatric neurology include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for the treatment of paediatric migraine, among others. Vitamin D is one of the dietary factors that has been linked to migraine, however, this association has mostly been examined in the adult population.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between serum vitamin D and paediatric migraine by conducting a review of existing literature. The main question is described with the PICO format (population, intervention, control, and outcomes), while the assessment of the present research is under the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

A systematic review of the literature reveals a remarkable association between vitamin D and migraine presentation in the paediatric population, affecting the frequency and duration of the episodes. That being the case, vitamin D supplementation could potentially improve the quality of life of paediatric patients suffering from migraine headaches.

Genetic Variability in Vitamin D Receptor and Migraine Susceptibility: A Southeastern European Case-Control Study

Migraine is a common primary headache disorder with both environmental and genetic inputs. Cumulative evidence indicates an association between vitamin D and headache. Unravelling the precise role of vitamin D and its receptor in the pathophysiology of migraine can eventually contribute to more efficient prevention and management of this headache disorder. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation of the three most studied VDR variants, i.e., FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) and BsmI (rs1544410), with migraine susceptibility and distinct clinical phenotypes in a Southeastern European case-control population residing in Greece. DNA was extracted from 191 unrelated patients diagnosed with migraine and 265 headache-free controls and genotyped using real-time PCR (LightSNiP assays) followed by melting curve analysis. Genotype frequency distribution analysis of the TaqI and BsmI variants showed a statistically significant difference between migraine cases and controls. In addition, subgroup analyses revealed a significant association between all three studied VDR variants, particularly with a migraine without aura subtype. Therefore, the current study provides supporting evidence for a possible association of VDR variants with migraines, particularly migraine without aura susceptibility in Southeastern Europeans residing in Greece, further reinforcing the emerging role of vitamin D and its receptor in migraines.

Management of Chronic Migraine in Children and Adolescents: Where are We in 2022?

Migraine is a neurological disorder that affects millions of children and adolescents worldwide. Chronic migraine is a subtype of migraine in which patients experience headaches for more days than not each month, with accompanying symptoms of phonophobia, photophobia, nausea or vomiting for most of these headaches. The burden and impact of chronic migraine in the daily lives of children and adolescents is substantial, requiring a holistic, multidisciplinary, and biopsychosocial approach to conceptualization and treatment. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive “2022” overview of acute and preventive treatments for the management of chronic migraine in youth. We first describe diagnostic criteria for chronic migraine and highlight the state of evidence for acute and preventive treatment in children and adolescents. We then discuss emerging treatments currently receiving rigorous clinical research effort, special considerations for the treatment of chronic migraine in children and adolescents, and avenues for improving existing treatments and expanding access to evidence-based care.

A comparative study on the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 and amitriptyline in the prophylactic treatment of migraine headaches in children: A randomized controlled trial

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Materials and Methods:

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The Vitamin D Role in Preventing Primary Headache in Adult and Pediatric Population

Headache is among the main neurological disorders with a great impact on both adults and children. The diagnosis of primary headache and proper management is often delayed with a great impact on work productivity and overall quality of life. Chronic headache often requires prophylactic therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks and the use of abortive medications. Besides the use of several classes of drugs, another treatment modality is the use of Nutraceuticals. Some studies have suggested a possible role of vitamin D in headache prophylaxis. Indeed, vitamin D is involved in several pathways of brain development, neuroprotection and neurotransmission. Moreover, there is data suggesting a close relationship between primary headache and vitamin D deficiency, both in children and in adults. To date, a few studies have evaluated the effect of vitamin D on headaches. The aim of this review is to summarize the data collected on headache prophylaxis with vitamin D comparing the effects of vitamin D in pediatric and adult populations.

Truths and Myths in Pediatric Migraine and Nutrition

The link between migraine and nutrition can be explored from several points of view. Lifestyle and, in particular, aspects of nutrition can have a significant impact on the course of pediatric migraine. In addition, some dietary treatments, such as the ketogenic diet, and some active ingredients present in foods (nutraceuticals) may have a therapeutic effect on migraine. A diet that can control weight gain and obesity has beneficial effects on migraine severity. On the other hand, when we talk about the link between nutrition and headaches, it is also necessary to point out that some public information is actually fake news that has no scientific basis. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the salient points linking pediatric migraine to nutritional principles, focusing on the relationship between weight and headaches, the therapeutic effect of food for medical purposes, the ketogenic diet as a migraine treatment, and the relationship between migraine and dietary habits.

Management of headaches in children and adolescents

Pediatric headache impacts up to 80% of children, many recurrently, by the time they are 15 years old. Preventing the progression of episodic to chronic headache results in less truancy, staying current with schoolwork and improves children's quality of life. Lifestyle choices can play an important role in headache treatment. Early effective treatment of episodic headache can prevent transformation into a chronic form. While details of a child's headache are critical for making a proper diagnosis; patient education is critical and effective rescue and preventive treatment strategies enable patients to focus on enjoying activities of daily living. Recognizing "red flags" that may suggest a serious underlying etiology is critical in the early stages of diagnosing and preparing to treat children with headaches. Finally directing patients to manage their headaches at home and when to proceed to an emergency department, urgent care or infusion unit can lower the economic burden of acute headache management.

Approach to Pediatric Intractable Migraine

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Intractable migraine in children and adolescents is a significant cause of disability and decreased quality of life (QoL) in this population. Challenges include lack of unifying definition for intractable migraine, and limited data on best-practice management in this age group, with most current treatment pathways extrapolated from adult studies or expert consensus.

RECENT FINDINGS

A comprehensive approach in the evaluation and management of intractable migraine in this age group encompasses excluding secondary causes of headache; making an accurate diagnosis; identifying and appropriately managing modifiable risk factors; and initiating appropriate pharmacologic therapy to reduce disability, improve health-related quality of life, reduce risk of progression, and develop adaptive pain coping strategies. Several strategies for management of pediatric intractable migraine including use of acute medications, bridge therapy in outpatient setting, emerging therapies for preventive therapy, and a stepwise combination therapy for management of pediatric intractable migraine in emergency and inpatient setting are presented based on available clinical data, safety/tolerability, availability, cost-effectiveness, and expert consensus. This descriptive review of the available literature focuses on approach to therapy for acute intractable migraine in a pediatric population including outpatient, emergency department (ED), and inpatient management.

Headache in Children and Adolescents

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews the approach to a child or adolescent with headache, the criteria for common diagnoses, and the evidence base for treatments.

RECENT FINDINGS

The guidelines for acute and preventive treatment of migraine were updated in 2019. These guidelines summarize the available evidence and outline the questions that should be addressed in future research. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of several new classes of drugs and devices to treat adult migraine in the past few years has resulted in ongoing or planned pediatric trials.

SUMMARY

Headache is a common symptom in children, and it is important to take a detailed history and perform a thorough physical examination to make the diagnosis. Nearly 1 in 10 children experience recurrent headaches due to migraine, which cause significant impairment in school performance and quality of life. The acute and preventive treatments that are currently available will help at least two-thirds of children with migraine, and several trials of new therapies offer hope for the future.

Effectiveness of low-dose riboflavin as a prophylactic agent in pediatric migraine

BACKGROUND

Riboflavin may prevent migraine episodes; however, there is limited evidence of its effectiveness in pediatric populations. This study investigated the effectiveness of riboflavin and clinical predictors of response in children with migraines.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data from 68 Japanese children with migraines, of whom 52 also exhibited another type of headache. Patients received 10 or 40 mg/day of riboflavin. We evaluated the average migraine frequency per month as a baseline and after 3 months of riboflavin therapy to determine the effectiveness and clinical predictors of response.

RESULTS

The frequency of migraine episodes was significantly lower at 3 months than at baseline (median, [interquartile range], 5.2 (3-7) vs. 4.0 (2-5); p < 0.01). Twenty-five patients (36.7%) showed 50% or greater reduction in episode frequency (responders), while 18 (26.5%) showed a 25%-50% reduction. We compared responders (n = 25) and non-responders (n = 43) and found no significant differences in sex, familial history, riboflavin dose, migraine type (i.e., presence or absence of aura), age at headache onset, or age at consultation. However, non-responders were more likely to have co-morbid non-migraine headaches (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-13.33; p = 0.02); this variable was also significant in a multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.16-12.6; p = 0.03). Of the co-morbid headache types, only tension headaches were significant (odds ratio, 0.176; 95% CI, 0.04-0.73; p = 0.013). No adverse effects of riboflavin were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose riboflavin is safe and modestly effective for migraines in children. It may be especially beneficial for children without other co-morbid headache types.

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery: Recent Developments and Future Prospects

The complexity of some diseases—as well as the inherent toxicity of certain drugs—has led to an increasing interest in the development and optimization of drug-delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles stand out as a key tool to improve drug bioavailability or specific delivery at the site of action. The versatility of polymers makes them potentially ideal for fulfilling the requirements of each particular drug-delivery system. In this review, a summary of the state-of-the-art panorama of polymeric nanoparticles as drug-delivery systems has been conducted, focusing mainly on those applications in which the corresponding disease involves an important morbidity, a considerable reduction in the life quality of patients—or even a high mortality. A revision of the use of polymeric nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery, for cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as nutraceutical delivery, was carried out, and a short discussion about future prospects of these systems is included.

Antioxidant compounds of Petasites japonicus and their preventive effects in chronic diseases: a review

Petasites japonicus (P. japonicus) is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Its roots and stems have been used for the treatment or the prophylaxis of migraine and tension headache as a traditional Chinese medicine in Japan and Korea. Sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and flavonoids are components of P. japonicus. Regarding the biological activity of P. japonicus, its anti-allergic effect has been researched extensively using IgE antigen-stimulated degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells or passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in experimental animal models. The study of the antioxidant activity of P. japonicus was initiated approximately 15 years ago using in vitro assays. In addition, its in vivo effect has also been examined in animal models with induced oxidative injury. Moreover, recently, many types of antioxidant compounds have been rapidly and simultaneously identified using the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry technique. The number of reports on the other functions of this plant, such as its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, has been increasing. In this review, I summarized the studies of functional foods derived from P. japonicus, which may provide a basis for the development of potential functional foods. Finally, I discuss the future research avenues in this field.

Headache Hygiene in Pediatrics: Brushing Up on the Basics

Headache hygiene refers to self-management behaviors and practices aimed at reducing headache-related disability and improving self-efficacy. Although self-management interventions have an established place in the management of a wide range of chronic conditions, there is still not a standardized approach to this in pediatric headache. In this article, we focus on headache hygiene approaches including education, lifestyle interventions, and psychologic interventions. We also present our center's resource compilation, made available to patients by quick response code technology, as an example of a structured approach to headache hygiene. Further work should explore a standardized approach to headache hygiene and strategies to support adherence, including the use of technology as an innovative health care delivery pathway.

The Use of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Migraine

Despite numerous studies concerning the pathophysiology of migraine, the exact molecular mechanism of disturbances underlying migraine is still unknown. Furthermore, oxidative stress is considered to play a significant role in migraine pathogenesis. The notion of oxidative stress in migraine patients has been discussed for several decades. Over the past few years, among the substances that could potentially be used for migraine treatment, particular attention has been paid to the so-called nutraceutics, including antioxidants. Antioxidants supplied with food prevent oxidative stress by inhibiting initiation, propagation, and the oxidative chain reaction itself. Additionally, the agents used so far in the prevention of migraine indeed show some anti-oxidative action. The antioxidants discussed in the present paper are increasingly more often used by migraine patients not only due to mild or even a lack of side effects but also because of their effectiveness (decreased frequency of migraine episodes or shortening of an episode duration). The present review provides a summary of the studies on nutraceuticals with antioxidative properties.

The Role of Vitamin D in Primary Headache-from Potential Mechanism to Treatment

Some studies have suggested a link between vitamin D and headache; however, the underlying physiological mechanisms are unclear. We aimed to summarize the available evidence on the relationship between vitamin D and the various subtypes of primary headaches, including migraines and tension-type headaches. All articles concerning the association between primary headache and vitamin D published up to October 2019 were retrieved by searching clinical databases, including: EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Google scholar, and the Cochrane library. All types of studies (i.e., observational, cross-sectional, case-control, and clinical trials) were included. We identified 22 studies investigating serum vitamin D levels in association with headaches. Eight studies also evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the various headache parameters. Among them, 18 studies showed a link between serum vitamin D levels and headaches, with the strongest connection reported between serum vitamin D levels and migraine. Overall, there is not enough evidence to recommend vitamin D supplementation to all headache patients, but the current literature indicates that it may be beneficial in some patients suffering headaches, mainly migraineurs, to reduce the frequency of headaches, especially in those with vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D in migraine headache: a comprehensive review on literature

INTRODUCTION

As a primary headache, migraine has been established as the first leading disability cause worldwide in the subjects who aged less than 50 years. A variety of dietary supplements have been introduced for migraine complementary treatment. As an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, vitamin D is one of these agents which has been of interest in recent years. Although higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency has been highlighted among migraineurs compared to controls, there is not any consensus in prescribing vitamin D in clinical practice. Therefore, in the current review, in addition to observational and case-control studies, we also included clinical trials concerning the effects of vitamin D supplementation on migraine/headache.

METHODS

Based on a PubMed/MEDLINE and ScienceDirect database search, this review study includes published articles up to June 2019 concerning the association between migraine/headache and vitamin D status or supplementation.

RESULTS

The percentage of subjects with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among migraineurs and headache patients has been reported to vary between 45 and 100%. In a number of studies, vitamin D level was negatively correlated with frequency of headaches. The present findings show that supplementation with this vitamin in a dose of 1000-4000 IU/d could reduce the frequency of attacks in migraineurs.

CONCLUSION

It seems a high proportion of migraine patients might suffer from vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. Further, the current evidence shows that in addition to routine drug therapy, vitamin D administration might reduce the frequency of attacks in migraineurs. However, these results have yet to be confirmed.

An observational study of fixed-dose Tanacetum parthenium nutraceutical preparation for prophylaxis of pediatric headache

Background

Migraine is one of the most prevalent chronic pain manifestations of childhood. Despite the multitude of available treatments, parents are often concerned about chronic therapies and pediatricians have insufficient confidence in prescribing prophylactic drugs. Therefore, there is now growing interest for natural supplements used to control recurrent migraine headaches. Such approach may increase acceptance and adherence to long-term prophylaxis therapy in children.

Methods

This is an observational multicenter study performed in children (n = 91) with migraine, with (MO) or without aura (MA), or tension-type headache (TTH). A fixed-dose Andrographis paniculata, CoQ10, riboflavin, and magnesium, was administered for 16 weeks. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), at week 8 (T1) and at the end of treatment at week 16 (T2). A follow-up period occurred at week 20 (T3) and week 32 (T4).

Results

The herbal supplement significantly reduced the frequency of headaches in TTH patients during treatment period (T0: 11.97 + 1.92 vs T2: 5.13 + 1.93; p < 0.001) and the efficacy was maintained after 16 weeks of treatment withdrawal (T4: 4.46 + 1.75; p < 0.001 vs T0). The frequency of migraine attacks was also reduced in the MO group during treatment (T0: 9.70 + 0.96 vs T2: 4.03 + 0.75; p < 0.01) and after withdrawal (T4: 2.96 + 0.65; p < 0.01 vs T0). Conversely, MA patients showed reduction in migraine’s frequency during treatment (T0: 8.74 + 1.91 vs T2: 3.78 + 2.02; p < 0.01) but not at the end of the study (T4: 5.57 + 3.31; p > 0.05 vs T0).

TTH patients did not report significant improvement of pain intensity. A significant effect was observed in the MO group during treatment (T0: 3.06 + 0.11 vs T2: 2.14 + 0.19; p < 0.001) and after treatment withdrawal (T4: 2.20 + 0.21; p < 0.001 vs T0). Likewise, MA group showed a significant treatment effect (T0: 2.57 + 0.20 vs T2: 0.86 + 0.45; p < 0.001) and the efficacy persisted at the end of the study (T4: 1.00 + 0.58; p < 0.001 vs T0).

Conclusion

This fixed-dose Tanacetum parthenium preparation improved headache frequency and pain intensity in children affected by TTH. Despite the main limits, this study supports the use of nutraceutical in pediatric headache/migraine.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on clinical features of migraine: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant and an essential mitochondrial cofactor which has been suggested to improve the clinical features of migraine. Several randomized clinical trials have examined the effects of Coenzyme Q10 on migraine with inconclusive results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane library and Scopus to identify eligible studies up to April 2018. Studies included were randomized clinical trials of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation that reported the frequency, severity, or duration of migraine attacks as a primary outcome. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed using the fixed effects model or the random effects model to estimate pooled effect size. Results: Four randomized clinical trials with 221 participants were included. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks (weighted mean difference: -1.87 attacks/month, 95% CI: -2.69 to -1.05, p < 0.001) without significant heterogeneity among the studies (I ² = 36.6%, p = 0.192). Coenzyme Q10 supplementation had no significant effect on severity (weighted mean difference: -2.35 visual analog scale score, 95% CI: -5.19 to 0.49, p = 0.105) and duration of migraine attacks (weighted mean difference: -6.14 h, 95% CI: -13.14 to 0.87, p = 0.086) with high heterogeneity. Conclusion: Pooled analyses of available randomized clinical trials suggest that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks per month without affecting the severity or duration of migraine attacks.

Non-pharmacological Approaches for Headaches in Young Age: An Updated Review

Headache disorders are common in children and adolescents. Most of the studies on non-pharmacological treatments have however been carried out on adults. In this review we provide information on recent studies examining non-pharmacological approaches for managing headache in children and adolescents. Our search of SCOPUS for primary studies conducted between January 2010 and July 2018 uncovered 11 controlled studies, mostly addressing behavioral approaches, in which a total of 613 patients with a diagnosis of primary headache, and average age 10.2–15.7 years (30–89% females) were recruited. Non-pharmacological treatments were shown to produce sizeable effects on the classical primary endpoint, i.e., headache frequency, with reductions from baseline ranging between 34 and 78%. Among commonly reported secondary endpoints, particularly disability, quality of life, depression and anxiety, marked improvements were noted as well. Taken as a whole, our findings suggest that non-pharmacological treatments constitute a valid option for the prevention of primary headaches in young age. Future research with higher-quality studies is needed. Particular attention needs to be given to studies that randomize patients to condition, blind researchers in charge of evaluating treatment outcomes, routinely include headache frequency as the primary endpoint, include adequate-length follow-up, address changes in biomarkers of disease and other possible mediators of outcome, and that employ predictive models to enhance the level of evidence for these approaches.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Headache and Migraine: Why to Prescribe and What New Research Is Critical for Advancing Integrated Biobehavioral Care

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To highlight current evidence supporting the prescription of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as part of first-line preventive treatment for children and adolescents with headache and discuss a research strategy aimed at: (1) understanding how and why CBT works, and (2) developing effective and efficient approaches for integrating CBT into headache specialty, neurology, and primary care settings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although preventive medications for pediatric headache and migraine are commonly prescribed, recent meta-analyses and an NIH-funded, multi-center clinical trial suggests that the effect of pill-taking therapies may be mostly due to a placebo effect. These findings have led to greater consideration of prescription of non-pharmacological therapies as first-line interventions (either alone or in combination with pill-based therapy). A literature that extends back to the 1980s and includes recent clinical trials and meta-analyses demonstrates that CBT decreases headache frequency and related disability in youth with headache and migraine and has a favorable benefit to risk profile with almost no negative side effects.

SUMMARY

CBT has been repeatedly demonstrated as effective in treating pediatric headache and migraine. As such, it should be considered as part of first-line preventive treatment for pediatric headache (either alone or in combination with a pill-based therapy). We need to better understand how this therapy works and what makes it distinct (if anything) from the placebo effect. What we need to achieve is empirical support for efficient access to this evidence-based treatment and clarity on how to match the intensity of non-pharmacological intervention to the needs of our patients at the time they present for care.