Enhancing cognitive-behavioural therapy for recurrent headache by integrating into it a new approach to the management of headache triggers (Learning to Cope with Triggers)
Evaluating the impact of incorporating a learning to cope with triggers compared to avoidance of triggers as part of cognitive behavioural therapy for tension-type headache and migraine sufferers by measuring the primary outcomes of (a) daily headache activity; (b) headache medication usage: (c) the presence of triggers and (d) the impact of headache on daily living.
Professor Paul Martin (Principal Investigator)
120 participants
May 5, 2014
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
The aim of this research is to investigate a behavioural treatment for the management of headache triggers within a cognitive-behavioural therapy program. The research will compare two variations of trigger management, one being the traditional approach (avoidance of all triggers) and one being a variation of the traditional approach (learning to cope with triggers). The investigators hypothesise that the enhanced approach which assists individuals to manage triggers rather than simply avoid them will have more positive outcomes including reduced headache frequency, reduced use of pain medication and improved quality of life
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- i) Diagnosed as either ‘migraine without aura’, ‘typical aura with migraine headache’, ‘chronic migraine’, ‘frequent episodic tension-type headache’, or ‘chronic tension-type headache’; (ii) minimum of 6 headache days per month; (iii) minimum headache chronicity of 12 months, and pattern of headache symptoms stable over last six months
Exclusion Criteria1
- Diagnosed as ‘medication overuse headache’; (ii) headaches present continuously; (iii) recent changes in prophylactic medication (study requires that medication has been stable for previous month) (iv) pregnant, planning pregnancy during trial period or lactating iv) currently receiving psychological or psychiatric treatment.
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Interventions
Intervention 1: 12 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation therapy and exposure as an opportunity to practice coping skills or when not possible the use of avoidance of triggers. Each 50 minute session will be administered in an individual format by a registered psychologist. Intervention 2: 12 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques including components on the avoidance of triggers. Each 50 minute session will be administered in an individual format by a registered psychologist.
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12614000435684