What does the evidence show? Efficacy of behavioural treatments for recurrent headaches in adults.
Behavioural treatments (predominantly biofeedback, relaxation and cognitive-behavioural) have been utilised in headache management for nearly 4 decades. This paper examines their clinical efficacy, drawing upon 2 primary sources of evidence: meta-analytic and evidenced-based reviews. Behavioural treatments have demonstrated efficacy and have been endorsed by various reviewing groups, such as the US Headache Consortium. Outcomes from behavioural treatments appear to endure over longer-term follow-up intervals as well. Meta-analyses comparing behavioural and pharmacological treatments have revealed similar levels of outcome. The article closes with a brief discussion of methods investigators are exploring to make behavioural treatments more available and affordable to headache patients.
Andrasik
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Department of Psychology, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA. fandrasik@uwf.edu
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome