title: Cognitive behavior therapy for comorbid migraine and/or tension-type headache and major depressive disorder: An exploratory randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Numerous studies have demonstrated comorbidity between migraine and tension-type headache on the one hand, and depression on the other. Presence of depression is a negative prognostic indicator for behavioral treatment of headaches. Despite the recognised comorbidity, there is a limited research literature evaluating interventions designed for comorbid headaches and depression. Sixty six participants (49 female, 17 male) suffering from migraine and/or tension-type headache and major depressive disorder were randomly allocated to a Routine Primary Care control group or a Cognitive Behavior Therapy group that also received routine primary care. The treatment program involved 12 weekly 50-min sessions administered by clinical psychologists. Participants in the treatment group improved significantly more than participants in the control group from pre-to post-treatment on measures of headaches, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Improvements achieved with treatment were maintained at four month follow-up. Comorbid anxiety disorders were not a predictor of response to treatment, and the only significant predictor was gender (men improved more than women). The new integrated treatment program appears promising and worthy of further investigation.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, 176 Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Queensland 4122, Australia. Electronic address: paul.martin@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aiello
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gilson
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meadows
authors.affiliation: Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, and Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, 300 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria, 3081, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeannette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milgrom
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; Australian College of Applied Psychology, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reece
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Cognitive behavior therapy; Depression; Migraine; Tension-type headache