title: Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Adolescents with Recurrent Headaches: A Pilot Feasibility Study.
abstract: Recurrent headaches cause significant burden for adolescents and their families. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to reduce stress and alter the experience of pain, reduce pain burden, and improve quality of life. Research indicates that MBIs can benefit adults with chronic pain conditions including headaches. A pilot nonrandomized clinical trial was conducted with 20 adolescent females with recurrent headaches. Median class attendance was 7 of 8 total sessions; average class attendance was 6.10 ± 2.6. Adherence to home practice was good, with participants reporting an average of 4.69 (SD = 1.84) of 6 practices per week. Five participants dropped out for reasons not inherent to the group (e.g., extracurricular scheduling); no adverse events were reported. Parents reported improved quality of life and physical functioning for their child. Adolescent participants reported improved depression symptoms and improved ability to accept their pain rather than trying to control it. MBIs appear safe and feasible for adolescents with recurrent headaches. Although participants did not report decreased frequency or severity of headache following treatment, the treatment had a beneficial effect for depression, quality of life, and acceptance of pain and represents a promising adjunct treatment for adolescents with recurrent headaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hesse
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Laura G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Mindfulness Utah LLC, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kennedy-Overfelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
authors.forename: Lynne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Giles