Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Psychological issues in the evaluation and treatment of tension-type headache.

Current pain and headache reports
December 1, 2012
Noah L Rosen
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to explore the utility of mindfulness and other psychological therapies in treating chronic pain conditions, particularly tension-type headaches, and reducing associated disability.

Results Summary

The abstract suggests that mindfulness, along with other psychological therapies, has demonstrated utility in treating chronic pain conditions and reducing disability, particularly in special populations like pediatric, pregnant, and geriatric patients.

Population

Individuals with tension-type headaches, including special populations (pediatric, pregnant, and geriatric patients).

Effective Dosage

Not available

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
relaxation training
decrease
chronic pain conditions
-
-
demonstrated utility in treating
#1
relaxation training
decrease
disability
-
-
reducing the associated disability
#2
cognitive behavioral therapy
decrease
chronic pain conditions
-
-
demonstrated utility in treating
#3
cognitive behavioral therapy
decrease
disability
-
-
reducing the associated disability
#4
biofeedback
decrease
chronic pain conditions
-
-
demonstrated utility in treating
#5
biofeedback
decrease
disability
-
-
reducing the associated disability
#6
mindfulness
decrease
chronic pain conditions
-
-
demonstrated utility in treating
#7
mindfulness
decrease
disability
-
-
reducing the associated disability
#8
Abstract

Tension-type headache is the most common headache disorder, affecting approximately 40 % of Americans within a one-year span. Although the most common form, episodic tension-type headache, is rarely impairing, more frequent tension-type headache can occur with significant disability and psychological comorbidity. Appreciating the psychological impact, assessing the associated biopsychosocial issues, and understanding patients' coping styles are important in forming an appropriate treatment plan and maximizing treatment outcomes. A range of psychological therapies including relaxation training, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback and mindfulness have demonstrated utility in treating chronic pain conditions and reducing the associated disability. This may be particularly applicable to special populations, including pediatric patients, pregnant patients and geriatric. Psychological assessment and treatment may be done conjointly with medication management and expands treatment options. There is great need to continue researching the effects of psychological treatments, standardizing interventions and making them available to the wider population.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Adaptation, PsychologicalAgedBiofeedback, PsychologyChildCognitive Behavioral TherapyComorbidityFemaleHumansPregnancyPsychotherapyRelaxation TherapyTension-Type Headache
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations11
Citations/Year0.8
Relative Citation Ratio0.50
NIH Percentile27.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.21
Normalized Score0.63
Related Supplements
Psychological issues in the evaluation and treatment of tens... | Panacea Index