The Trager approach in the treatment of chronic headache: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Although the traditional treatment of headache has been pharmacological, there have been many attempts to treat headaches with other methods with mixed levels of success.


OBJECTIVE
To obtain preliminary data on the efficacy of the Trager approach in the treatment of chronic headache.


METHODS
Small-scale randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
University-based clinic.


METHODS
Thirty-three volunteers with a self-reported history of chronic headache with at least one headache per week for at least 6 months.


METHODS
Medication only control group, medication and attention control group, and medication and Trager treatment group.


METHODS
Self-reported frequency, duration, and intensity of headache, medication usage and headache quality of life (HQOL) obtained at baseline and after a 6-week treatment period.


RESULTS
Analyses of variance demonstrated significant improvement in HQOL for the Trager and attention control groups, and reduction in medication usage for the Trager group (P < 0.05). Within-group analyses revealed that participants randomized to Trager demonstrated a significant decrease in the frequency of headaches (P = 0.045), improvement in HQOL (P = 0.045), and a 44% decrease in medication usage (P = 0.03). Participants randomized to the attention control group demonstrated a significant improvement in HQOL (P = 0.035) and a 19% decrease in medication usage (P = 0.15). Participants randomized to the no-treatment control group revealed a significant increase in headache duration (P = 0.025) and intensity (P = 0.025), and a declination in HQOL (P = 0.035).


CONCLUSIONS
The Trager approach decreased headache frequency and medication usage. Trager and physician attention improved HQOL. A larger, multi-site study is recommended.
Foster
Kimberley A
KA
Statistical Consultation and Research Center, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA.
Liskin
Jack
J
Cen
Steven
S
Abbott
Allan
A
Armisen
Valeska
V
Globe
Denise
D
Knox
Lyndee
L
Mitchell
Miles
M
Shtir
Corina
C
Azen
Stanley
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011603:Psychophysiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome