Extending the efficacy of a thermal biofeedback treatment package to the management of tension-type headaches in children

Richard E. Arndorfer, Keith D. Allen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explored the efficacy of a thermal biofeedback treatment package as an intervention with children with tension-type headaches. In a within-subject, time-lagged, multiple baseline design, five children, aged 8 to 14 years, were assigned to baselines of varying lengths prior to receiving treatment. Treatment was introduced sequentially across subjects and involved six thermal biofeedback treatment visits. Parents were also given guidelines for how best to encourage children to independently use the biofeedback skills. Data confirm that the participants learned the handwarming skill, practiced the skill on a regular basis during treatment, and independently used the skills to manage their pain. All participants demonstrated clinically significant reductions in one or more headache parameters (frequency, duration, intensity) following treatment. At 6-month follow-up, four of the five participants were headache-free. Although the thermal biofeedback treatment package was generally effective for these children with tension-type headaches, the specific type of headache experienced by each child appeared to influence the specific response to treatment. In addition, no single measure of headache activity was the best indicator of response to treatment. The efficacy of the thermal biofeedback treatment package is supported as an alternative treatment for children suffering from tension-type headaches.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)183-192
Number of pages10
JournalHeadache
Volume41
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Biofeedback
  • Children
  • Headache
  • Tension
  • Thermal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Extending the efficacy of a thermal biofeedback treatment package to the management of tension-type headaches in children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this