Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Psychological Therapy in Adolescents with Chronic Daily Headache

  • Chronic Daily Headache (SJ Wang, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Chronic daily headache is a serious disease, causing significant problems in terms of reduced quality of life and disability, with pain localized to the head (headache) occurring 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months (>180 days per year). Drugs, both used as preventive medications or as pain-killers, are insufficient for the management of these patients; a more global approach has been advocated. This paper reviews existing data concerning different psychological approaches, with a focus on adolescence. This leads to evidence still unanswered questions but also the importance to include psychological treatments in the management of this potentially disabling condition.

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

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Antonaci F, Voiticovschi-Iosob C, Di Stefano AL, Galli F, Ozge A, Balottin U. The evolution of headache from childhood to adulthood: a review of the literature. J Headache Pain. 2014;15:15.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Mathew NT, Stubits E, Nigam MP. Transformation of episodic migraine into daily headache: analysis of factors. Headache. 1982;22(2):66–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Holden EW, Gladstein J, Trulsen M, Wall B. Chronic daily headache in children and adolescents. Headache. 1994;34(9):508–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Seshia SS, Wang SJ, Abu-Arafeh I, et al. Chronic daily headache in children and adolescents: a multi-faceted syndrome. Can J Neurol Sci. 2010;37(6):769–78.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Seshia SS. Chronic daily headache in children and adolescents. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2012;16:60–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia. 2013;33(9):629–808.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wang SJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR, Juang KD. Chronic daily headache in adolescents: prevalence, impact and medication overuse. Neurology. 2006;66:193–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Arruda MA, Guidetti V, Galli F, Albuquerque RC, Bigal ME. Frequent headaches in the preadolescent pediatric population: a population-based study. Neurology. 2010;74(11):903–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Galli F, Caputi M, Gallucci M, Termine C, Chiappedi M, Balottin U et al. Headache and psychological disorders in children and adolescents: a cross-generational study. Minerva Pediatr. 2015.

  10. Kröner-Herwig B. Pediatric headache: associated psychosocial factors and psychological treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(6):338.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Seshia SS, Phillips DF, von Baeyer CL. Childhood chronic daily headache: a biopsychosocial perspective. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2008;50(7):541–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Seshia SS. Chronic daily headache in children and adolescents. Can J Neurol Sci. 2004;31(3):319–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lewis DW, Winner P, Wasiewski W. The placebo responder rate in children and adolescents. Headache. 2005;45(3):232–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Balottin U, Chiappedi M, Rossi M, Termine C, Nappi G. Childhood and adolescent migraine: a neuropsychiatric disorder? Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(6):778–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Piazza F, Chiappedi M, Maffioletti E, Galli F, Balottin U. Medication overuse headache in school-aged children: more common than expected? Headache. 2012;1506–1510. A prospective study exploring the prevalence of MOH in children seen in a third-level center.

  16. Wang SJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR, Juang KD. Outcomes and predictors of chronic daily headache in adolescents: a 2-year longitudinal study. Neurology. 2007;97:739–54.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Chiappedi M, Balottin U. Medication overuse headache in children and adolescents. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2014;18(4):404.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bruffaerts R, Demyttenaere K, Kessler RC, et al. The associations between preexisting mental disorders and subsequent onset of chronic headaches: a worldwide epidemiologic perspective. J Pain. 2015;16(1):42–52. A study providing interesting and innovative find regarding the “what comes first” question between headache and psychopathology.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Blaauw BA, Dyb G, Hagen K, et al. The relationship of anxiety, depression and behavioral problems with recurrent headache in late adolescence—a Young-HUNT follow-up study. J Headache Pain. 2015;16:10.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Wang SJ, Juang KD, Fuh JL, Lu SR. Psychiatric comorbidity and suicide risk in adolescents with chronic daily headache. Neurology. 2007;68:1468–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Balottin U, Fusar Poli P, Termine C, Molteni S, Galli F. Psychopathological symptoms in child and adolescent migraine and tension-type headache: a meta-analysis. Cephalalgia. 2013;33(2):112–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Eccleston C, Palermo TM, Williams AC, Lewandowski A, Morley S. Psychological therapies for the management of chronic and recurrent pain in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;2:CD003968.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sieberg CB, Huguet A, von Baeyer CL, Seshia SS. Psychological interventions for headache in children and adolescents. Can J Neurol Sci. 2012;39:26–34. An interesting review of possible psychological interventions for headache in children and adolescents, although not focused only on CDH.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Trautmann E, Lackschewitz H, Kroner-Herwig B. Psychological treatment of recurrent headache in children and adolescents—a meta-analysis. Cephalalgia. 2006;26:1411–26.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Huguet A, McGrath PJ, Stinson J, Tougas ME, Doucette S. Efficacy of psychological treatment for headaches: an overview of systematic reviews and analysis of potential modifiers of treatment efficacy. Clin J Pain. 2014;30(4):353–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Guyuron B, Lineberry K, Nahabet EH. A retrospective review of the outcomes of migraine surgery in the adolescent population. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;135(6):1700–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Beck AT. Cognitive therapy: past, present, and future. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1993;61(2):194–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Eccleston C, Malleson PN, Clinch J, Connell H, Sourbut C. Chronic pain in adolescents: evaluation of a programme of interdisciplinary cognitive behaviour therapy. Arch Dis Child. 2003;88(10):881–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Gil KM, Anthony KK, Carson JW, Redding-Lallinger R, Daeschner CW, Ware RE. Daily coping practice predicts treatment effects in children with sickle cell disease. J Pediatr Psychol. 2001;26(3):163–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Holden EW, Deichmann MM, Levy JD. Empirically supported treatments in pediatric psychology: recurrent pediatric headache. J Pediatr Psychol. 1999;24(2):91–109.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Haddock CK, Rowan AB, Andrasik F, Wilson PG, Talcott GW, Stein RJ. Home-based behavioral treatments for chronic benign headache: a meta-analysis of controlled trials. Cephalalgia. 1997;17(2):113–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Andrasik F, Grazzi L, Usai S, D’Amico D, Leone M, Bussone G. Brief neurologist-administered behavioral treatment of pediatric episodic tension-type headache. Neurology. 2003;60(7):1215–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Napier DA, Miller CM, Andrasik F. Group treatment for recurrent headache. Adv Med Psychother. 1997–98;9:21–31.

  34. Allen KD, Md S. Role of parent-mediated pain behavior management strategies in biofeedback treatment of childhood migraines. Behav Ther. 1998;29(3):477–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Fishman SM, Ballantyne JC, Rathmell JP. Bonica’s management of pain. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Sadler J. Pain relief without drugs: a self-help guide for chronic pain and trauma. Rochester: Healing Arts Press; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Warfield CA, Fausett HJ. Manual of pain menagement. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Corey D. Learning to live without it. Toronto: Macmillan Canada; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Emmen HH, Passchier J. Treatment of headache among children by progressive relaxation. Cephalalgia. 1987;7 Suppl 6:387–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Engel JM, Rapoff MA, Pressman AR. Long-term follow-up of relaxation training for pediatric headache disorders. Headache. 1992;32(3):152–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Palermo TM, Eccleston C, Lewandowski AS, Williams AC, Morley S. Randomized controlled trials of psychological therapies for management of chronic pain in children and adolescents: an updated meta-analytic review. Pain. 2010;148(3):387–97.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Reid GJ, McGrath PJ. Psychological treatments for migraine. Biomed Pharmacother. 1996;50(2):58–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Bussone G, Grazzi L, D’Amico D, Leone M, Andrasik F. Biofeedback-assisted relaxation training for young adolescents with tension-type headache: a controlled study. Cephalalgia. 1998;18(7):463–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Burke EJ, Andrasik F. Home- vs. clinic-based biofeedback treatment for pediatric migraine: results of treatment through one-year follow-up. Headache. 1989;29(7):434–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Grazzi L, Leone M, Frediani F, Bussone G. A therapeutic alternative for tension headache in children: treatment and 1-year follow-up results. Biofeedback Self Regul. 1990;15(1):1–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Allen KD, McKeen LR. Home-based multicomponent treatment of pediatric migraine. Headache. 1991;31(7):467–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Scharff L, Marcus DA, Masek BJ. A controlled study of minimal-contact thermal biofeedback treatment in children with migraine. J Pediatr Psychol. 2002;27(2):109–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Blume HK, Brockman LN, Breuner CC. Biofeedback therapy for pediatric headache: factors associated with response. Headache. 2012;52(9):1377–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Shiri S, Feintuch U, Weiss N, et al. A virtual reality system combined with biofeedback for treating pediatric chronic headache—a pilot study. Pain Med. 2013;14:621–7. An interesting and innovative approach to treatment of chronic headache in children.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Forsyth JP, Eifert GH. The mindfulness and acceptance workbook for anxiety. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Zeidan F, Grant JA, Brown CA, McHaffie JG, Coghill RC. Mindfulness meditation-related pain relief: evidence for unique brain mechanisms in the regulation of pain. Neurosci Lett. 2012;520(2):165–73.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Kabat-Zinn J. An outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations and preliminary results. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1982;4(1):33–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Kabat-Zinn J, Lipworth L, Burney R. The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain. J Behav Med. 1985;8(2):163–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Hayes SC, Bissett RT, Korn Z, et al. The impact of acceptance versus control rationales on pain tolerance. Psychol Rec. 1999;49:33–47.

    Google Scholar 

  55. McCracken LM, Eccleston C. Coping or acceptance: what to do about chronic pain? Pain. 2003;105(1-2):197–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Wicksell RK, Melin L, Olsson GL. Exposure and acceptance in the rehabilitation of adolescents with idiopathic chronic pain—a pilot study. Eur J Pain. 2007;11(3):267–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Hayes SC, Luoma JB, Bond FW, Masuda A, Lillis J. Acceptance and commitment therapy: model, processes and outcomes. Behav Res Ther. 2006;44(1):1–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Kohen DP. Chronic daily headache: helping adolescents help themselves with self-hypnosis. Am J Clin Hypn. 2011;54(1):32–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Kohen DP. Long-term follow-up of self-hypnosis training for recurrent headaches: what the children say. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010;58(4):417–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Anbar RD, Zoughbi GG. Relationship of headache-associated stressors and hypnosis therapy outcome in children: a retrospective chart review. Am J Clin Hypn. 2008;50(4):335–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Rogovik AL, Goldman RD. Hypnosis for treatment of pain in children. Can Fam Physician. 2007;53(5):823–5.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Plotnick AB, Payne PA, O’Grady DJ. Correlates of hypnotizability in children: absorption, vividness of imagery, fantasy play, and social desirability. Am J Clin Hypn. 1991;34(1):51–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Olness K, MacDonald JT, Uden DL. Comparison of self-hypnosis and propranolol in the treatment of juvenile classic migraine. Pediatrics. 1987;79(4):593–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Clarici A, Pellizzoni S, Guaschino S, et al. Intranasal administration of oxytocin in postnatal depression: implications for psychodynamic psychotherapy from a randomized double-blind pilot study. Front Psychol. 2015;6:426.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Balottin U, Ferri M, Racca M, et al. Psychotherapy versus usual care in pediatric migraine and tension-type headache: a single-blind controlled pilot study. Ital J Pediatr. 2014;40:6. One of the few studies exploring the possible role of psychodynamic psychotherapy in patients with headache.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. Altieri M, Di Giambattista R, Di Clemente L, et al. Combined pharmacological and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for probable medication overuse headache: a pilot study. Cephalalgia. 2009;29(3):293–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Abbass A, Kisely S, Kroenke K. Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for somatic disorders. systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Psychother Psychosom. 2009;78(5):265–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Grandi A, Mazzola M, Angelini L, Chiappedi M. Listening to the patient as a possible route to cost-effective rehabilitation: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2012;6:19.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  69. Chiappedi M, Baschenis IM, Dolci R, Bejor M. Importance of a critical reading of neuropsychological testing. Minerva Pediatr. 2011;63(3):239–45.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Chiappedi M, Maltagliati S, Amoruso A, Dolci R, Carniglia C, Bejor M. Child rehabilitation refusal: why it happens and possible strategies to avoid it. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2009;45(4):487–92.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Chiappedi M, Panizzari C, Bejor M. Rehabilitative treatment refusal and socio-economic status: a complex relationship. Child Care Health Dev. 2011;37(2):302–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Diener HC, Gaul C, Jensen R, et al. Integrated headache care. Cephalalgia. 2011;31(9):1039–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Fearon P, Hotopf M. Relation between headache in childhood and physical and psychiatric symptoms in adulthood: national birth cohort study. BMJ. 2001;322:1145.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Matteo Chiappedi, Martina Maria Mensi & Umberto Balottin

  2. Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Umberto Balottin

  3. Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Cristiano Termine

Authors
  1. Matteo Chiappedi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Martina Maria Mensi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cristiano Termine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Umberto Balottin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matteo Chiappedi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Matteo Chiappedi, Martina Maria Mensi, Cristiano Termine, and Umberto Balottin declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Chronic Daily Headache

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chiappedi, M., Mensi, M.M., Termine, C. et al. Psychological Therapy in Adolescents with Chronic Daily Headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep 20, 3 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0532-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0532-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation