Role of parent-mediated pain behavior management strategies in biofeedback treatment of childhood migraines

This study explored the use of parent-mediated pain behavior management strategies as an adjunct to the biofeedback treatment of children with migraine headaches. Twenty-seven children, ages 7 to 18, presenting with migraine headaches were randomly assigned to either a biofeedback treatment group or a biofeedback treatment group that included pain behavior management guidelines for parents. Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in headache activity. The group receiving parent-mediated pain management guidelines, however, evidenced significantly greater reductions in headache frequency, were more likely to experience clinically significant improvements, and were more likely to be headache-free. In addition, the group that received parent-mediated pain management guidelines reported children who demonstrated better adaptive functioning during treatment and at 3-month follow-up. The addition of parent-mediated pain behavior management guidelines are supported as an important adjunct to the clinical management of migraine headaches in children.