Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Challenges of nonpharmacologic interventions in chronic tension-type headache

  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Interest in nonpharmacologic interventions for chronic tension-type headache has increased in recent years, with many professional organizations recommending behavioral treatments such as relaxation training, biofeedback, and cognitive-behavioral therapy alongside pharmacologic treatments. Although the efficacy of behavioral interventions is well-documented, several potential barriers in dissemination and implementation exist that have precluded more widespread adoption of behavioral treatments. This article briefly reviews the core components and efficacy of behavioral treatments for tension-type headache and outlines challenges to their broader clinical use as they occur at the levels of empirical research, treatment availability and delivery, and common clinical problems. Strategies for addressing these challenges are suggested, and directions for needed research are noted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Peatfield RC, Edmeads JG: General approach to treatment of tension-type headaches. In The Headaches, edn 3. Edited by Olesen J, Goadsby PJ, Ramadan NM, et al.: Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:707–709.

    Google Scholar 

  2. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge. San Francisco: The Institute for Health and Aging, University of California; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Penzien DB, Rains JC, Lipchik GL, Creer TL: Behavioral interventions for tension-type headache: overview of current therapies and recommendation for a self-management model for chronic headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2004, 8:489–499.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Holroyd KA, Martin PR, Nash JM: Psychological treatments of tension-type headaches. In The Headaches, edn 3. Edited by Olesen J, Goadsby PJ, Ramadan NM, et al.: Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:711–719.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Nash JM: Psychologic and behavioral management of tension-type headache: treatment procedures. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2003, 2:475–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Rains JC, Penzien DB, McCrory DC, Gray RN: Behavioral headache treatment: history, review of the empirical literature, and methodological critique. Headache 2005, 45(Suppl 2):S91–S108.

    Google Scholar 

  7. McCrory DC, Penzien DB, Hasselblad V, Gray RN: Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache. Des Moines, IA: Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Söderberg E, Carlsson J, Stener-Victorin E: Chronic tension-type headache treated with acupuncture, physical training and relaxation training. Between-group differences. Cephalalgia 2006, 26:1320–1329.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Bogaards MC, ter Kuile MM: Treatment of recurrent tension headache: a meta-analytic review. Clin J Pain 1994, 10:174–190.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Holroyd KA, Penzien DB: Client variables and the behavioral treatment of recurrent tension headache: a meta-analytic review. J Behav Med 1986, 9:515–536.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Penzien DB, Rains JC, Lipchik GL, et al.: Future directions in behavioral headache research: applications for an evolving healthcare environment. Headache 2005, 45:526–534.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society: Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Cephalalgia 1988, 8(Suppl 7):1–96.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society: The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 2nd edition. Cephalalgia 2004, 24(Suppl 1):1–160.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rains JC, Penzien DB: Behavioral research and the double-blind placebo-controlled methodology: challenges in applying the biomedical standard to behavioral headache research. Headache 2005, 45:479–486.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Penzien DB, Andrasik F, Freidenberg BM, et al.: Guidelines for trials of behavioral treatments for recurrent headache. Headache 2005, 45(Suppl 2):S109–S131.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Mulkana SS, Penzien DB, Houle TT, et al.: Expense of preventative drug and behavioral headache therapies: an expanded analysis. Headache 2004, 44:515.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Penzien DB, Rains JC, Andrasik F: Behavioral management of recurrent headache: three decades of experience and empiricism. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2002, 27:163–181.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Breslau N: Psychiatric comorbidity in migraine. Cephalalgia 1998, 18(Suppl 22):S56–S61.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hamelsky SW, Lipton RB: Psychiatric comorbidity of migraine. Headache 2006, 46:1327–1333.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Lake AE, Lipchik GL, Penzien DB, et al.: Psychiatric comorbidity with chronic headache: evidence-based clinical implications—introduction to the supplement. Headache 2006, 46(Suppl 3):S73–S75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Penzien, DB, Peatfield RC, Lipchik GL: Headache in patients with co-morbid psychiatric disease. In The Headaches, edn 3. Edited by Olesen J, Goadsby P, Ramadan N, et al.: Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:1117–1124.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Penzien DB, Rains JC, Lake AE, et al.: Complex comorbidities of recurrent headache disorders: introduction to the special series. Headache 2006, 46:1324–1326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Zwart JA, Dyb G, Hagen K, et al.: Depression and anxiety disorders associated with headache frequency. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. Eur J Neurol 2003, 10:147–152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Guidetti V, Galli F, Fabrizi P, et al.: Headache and psychiatric comorbidity: clinical aspects and outcome in an 8-year follow-up study. Cephalalgia 1998, 18:455–462.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Lantéri-Minet M, Radat F, Chautart MH, Lucas C: Anxiety and depression associated with migraine: influence on migraine subjects’ disability and quality of life, and acute migraine management. Pain 2005, 118:319–326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Pesa J, Lage MJ: The medical costs of migraine and comorbid anxiety and depression. Headache 2004, 44:562–570.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Heckman BD, Holroyd KA: Tension-type headache and psychiatric comorbidity. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2006, 10:439–447.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Mongini F, Rota E, Deregibus A, et al.: A comparative analysis of personality profile and muscle tenderness between chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache. Neurol Sci 2005, 26:203–207.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Holroyd KA, Stensland M, Lipchik GL, et al.: Psychosocial correlates and impact of chronic tension-type headaches. Headache 2000, 40:3–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Maizels, M, Smitherman TA, Penzien DB: A review of screening tools for psychiatric comorbidity in headache patients. Headache 2006, 46(Suppl 3):S98–S109.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB: The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression screening measure. J Gen Intern Med 2001, 16:606–613.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Löwe B: A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder. Arch Intern Med 2006, 166:1092–1097.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lipchik GL, Smitherman TA, Penzien DB, Holroyd K: Basic principles and techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapies for comorbid psychiatric symptoms among headache patients. Headache 2006, 46(Suppl 3):S119–S132.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Rains JC, Poceta JS: Headache and sleep disorders: review and clinical implications for headache management. Headache 2006, 46:1344–1363.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Lynberg AC, Rasmussen BK, Jorgensen T, Jensen R: Incidence of primary headache: a Danish epidemiologic follow up study. Am J Epidemiol 2005, 161:1066–1073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Spierings EL, van Hoof MJ: Fatigue and sleep in chronic headache sufferers: an age-and sex-controlled questionnaire study. Headache 1997, 37:549–552.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Rothrock J, Patel M, Lyden P, Jackson C: Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with episodic migraine versus chronic daily headache. Cephalalgia 1996, 16:44–49.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Lake AE, Saper JR, Madden SF, Kreeger C: Comprehensive inpatient treatment for intractable migraine: a prospective long-term outcome study. Headache 1993, 33:55–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Hoodin F, Brines BJ, Lake AE, et al.: Behavioral self-management in an inpatient headache treatment unit: increasing adherence and relationship to changes in affective distress. Headache 2000, 40:377–383.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Calhoun AH, Ford S: Behavioral sleep modifications may revert transformed migraine to episodic migraine. Headache 2007, 47:1178–1183.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Michultka DM, Blanchard EB, Appelbaum KA, et al.: The refractory headache patient: II. High medication consumption (analgesic rebound) headache. Behav Res Ther 1989, 27:411–420.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Pascual J, Colas R, Castillo J: Epidemiology of chronic daily headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2001, 5:529–536.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Dodick D, Freitag F: Evidence-based understanding of medication-overuse headache: clinical implications. Headache 2006, 46(Suppl 4):S202–S211.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Rains JC, Lipchik GL, Penzien DB: Behavioral facilitation of medical treatment for headache—part 1: review of headache treatment compliance. Headache 2006, 46:1387–1394.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Rains JC, Penzien DB, Lipchik GL: Behavioral facilitation of medical treatment for headache—part 2: theoretical models and behavioral strategies for improving adherence. Headache 2006, 46:1395–1403.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Rains JC, Penzien DB, Lipchik GL: Behavioral facilitation of medical treatment of headache: implications of noncompliance and strategies for improving adherence. Headache 2006, 46(Suppl 3):S142–S143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Grazzi L, Andrasik F, D’Amico D, et al.: Behavioral and pharmacologic treatment of transformed migraine with analgesic overuse: outcome at 3 years. Headache 2002, 42:483–490.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Holroyd KA, O’Donnell FJ, Stensland M, et al.: Management of chronic tension-type headache with tricyclic antidepressant medication, stress management therapy, and their combination: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2001, 285:2208–2215.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Holroyd K, Cottrell C, Drew J, et al.: Preventive medication, behavioral migraine management and their combination: effects on migraine self-management. Headache 2007, 47:795.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Burns DD, Spangler DL: Does psychotherapy homework lead to improvements in depression in cognitive-behavioral therapy or does improvement lead to increased homework compliance? J Consult Clin Psychol 2001, 69:1079–1083.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Persons JB, Burns DD, Perloff JM: Predictors of dropout and outcome in cognitive therapy for depression in a private practice setting. Cognit Ther Res 1988, 12:557–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Head Pain Center, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Todd A. Smitherman

Authors
  1. Todd A. Smitherman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Donald B. Penzien
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jeanetta C. Rains
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Todd A. Smitherman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smitherman, T.A., Penzien, D.B. & Rains, J.C. Challenges of nonpharmacologic interventions in chronic tension-type headache. Current Science Inc 11, 471–477 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-007-0236-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-007-0236-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation