Die Behandlung von Kopfschmerz bei Kindern und Jugendlichen - Eine Praxisstudie. Treatment of headaches in children and adolescents - A naturalistic study.

After a first outcome study (RCT) carried out within a university setting supported the efficacy of a newly developed headache treatment for children and adolescents, a study within a 'naturalistic setting' of psychotherapeutic practice was conducted to investigate its effectiveness. 23 psychotherapists from different regions of Germany took part in the study, and presented data on 234 children who were included in the 8-session group training. After treatment the children (mean age 11 yrs) decreased the frequency of days with headache from 9.1 days/month by three days as documented by a headache diary. According to the parents their headache frequency was even reduced by 50\% based on a three months estimation. Further headache parameters did not change to the positive. The general well being of the children improved significantly after therapy and (as a statistical trend) at follow-up. Very distinct changes were found regarding the children's appraisal of headache and their self efficacy beliefs regarding headache. Children reported much better coping with their headache without the support of their parents. Parents' reports underlined these positive changes. The training was very well accepted by the children and their parents. One limitation regarding our findings is the large number of dropouts regarding diary data. Nevertheless we come to the conclusion that the headache training program can be appropriately implemented in an outpatient therapeutic setting and its use can be recommended for the sake of the children's well being and health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 2007-18538-007. Translated Title: Treatment of headaches in children and adolescents–A naturalistic study. Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Kröner-Herwig, Birgit; Abteilung fur Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Universitat Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany. Release Date: 20080825. Correction Date: 20110509. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Print. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: German. Major Descriptor: Headache; Pediatrics; Psychotherapy; Treatment. Minor Descriptor: Coping Behavior; Pain Management; Psychotherapists; Self-Report; Well Being. Classification: Behavioral & Psychological Treatment of Physical Illness (3361). Population: Human (10). Location: Germany. Age Group: Childhood (birth-12 yrs) (100); Adolescence (13-17 yrs) (200). Methodology: Empirical Study; Quantitative Study. References Available: Y. Page Count: 13. Issue Publication Date: 2007.