title: The examination of headache activity using time-series research designs.
abstract: The majority of research conducted on headache has utilized cross-sectional designs which preclude the examination of dynamic factors and principally rely on group-level effects. The present article describes the application of an individual-oriented process model using time-series analytical techniques. The blending of a time-series approach with an interactive process model allows consideration of the relationships of intra-individual dynamic processes, while not precluding the researcher to examine inter-individual differences. The authors explore the nature of time-series data and present two necessary assumptions underlying the time-series approach. The concept of shock and its contribution to headache activity is also presented. The time-series approach is not without its problems and two such problems are specifically reported: autocorrelation and the distribution of daily observations. The article concludes with the presentation of several analytical techniques suited to examine the time-series interactive process model.
authors.affiliation: Center for Pain Studies, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago/Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Houle
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Remble
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Houle
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors