An Integrative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Adults With Migraine: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Objective To present a novel cognitive behavioral therapy program that was developed exclusively for adults with migraine, and to assess the feasibility of this program. Background Unlike previous efforts, we combined different approaches of behavioral therapy into one program: relaxation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, trigger management. Methods The treatment program consists of 7 sessions (including psychoeducation, lifestyle counseling, coping with fear of attacks, trigger management, and stress management). The research was conducted in a single‐group study with N = 9 completers (age: M = 41.6, SD = 17.6 years; N = 8 female, N = 1 male; N = 5 migraine without aura, N = 2 migraine with aura, N = 2 chronic migraine). After each of the group therapy sessions, evaluation questionnaires were filled out, and individual qualitative interviews were conducted after completion of the program. Results The treatment program was very well accepted. Every session was rated as comprehensible, and overall satisfaction with the sessions was high. Participants greatly appreciated having access to a specific treatment, exclusively addressing migraine. Conclusions The idea of combining several approaches of behavioral therapy into a specific treatment program for migraine seems to be feasible and promising. A randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of our program is currently running.

Die Erfassung von Triggerempfindlichkeit und -vermeidung bei primären Kopfschmerzen: Entwicklung und psychometrische Erprobung einer deutschen Version des Headache Triggers Sensitivity and Avoidance Questionnaire (HTSAQ-G)

“…Das auf dem LCT basierende Behandlungsprogramm war als einziges der Wartelistenkontrollgruppe signifikant überlegen. Auch in Deutschland wurde dieser Ansatz bei der Entwicklung eines integrativen verhaltenstherapeutischen Therapieprogramms für Migränepatienten aufgegriffen [Klan et al, 2017]. Grundsätzlich lassen sich vier verschiedene Optionen im Umgang mit Triggern beschreiben [EASE; Headache Australia, 2018].…”

A Review on the Triggers of Pediatric Migraine with the Aim of Improving Headache Education

“…Limiting all triggers can be stressful and harmful, far outweighing any potential benefits and lowering the threshold for migraine development [ 17 ]. Present trends in migraine management are thought to be more important in managing triggers than avoiding them [ 97 , 98 ]. We recommend that physicians should not solely advise children and their caregivers to ‘avoid stress’, but also counsel them to respond to incentives through instruction and ‘coping mechanisms’, similar to those for adult migraine patients [ 99 , 100 ].…”

Can personality traits, obesity, depression, anxiety, and quality of life explain the association between migraine and disordered eating attitudes?

“…This study suggests that the presence of eating disorders or disordered eating behavior is significant in the follow-up and treatment of migraine patients and that early detection and treatment of disorders in eating behavior will benefit migraine patients. Finally, it is known that behavioral therapy can be very effective in the treatment of disordered eating attitudes and migraine 39,40 . The data from the literature and our study implies that there is a need for studies that apply behavioral therapy to this association between disordered eating attitudes and migraine.…”