Coping strategies in episodic and chronic tension-type headache
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
1Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Medical School of Hannover, Germany.
Objective:
To study the importance of coping with illness strategies in tension-type headache (TTH).
Background:
The pathophysiology of TTH is complex, and coping with illness strategies might contribute to the transformation to a chronic form.
Methods:
We examined 89 subjects (mean age, 45.6 +/- 14.8 years; range, 18 to 72 years) with episodic (n = 37) and chronic (n = 52) TTH. Patients were required to fill in a Freiburg Questionnaire of Coping with Illness (FQCI), a von Zerssen Depression Scale, quality-of-life questionnaires, and a headache home diary (over 4 weeks). In addition, pressure pain thresholds (temporal muscles) and total tenderness scores were obtained.
Results:
Patients with chronic TTH exhibited poorer quality-of-life measures, slightly more depressive symptoms, and significantly stronger avoidance behavior and endurance strategies on FQCI scales F4 and F5 (P< .05). There was no difference between episodic and chronic TTH with respect to measures of muscle tenderness or pain thresholds.
Conclusions:
We conclude that disadvantageous coping with illness strategies might contribute to a transformation to chronic TTH.
Related Concept Videos
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as "workaholics," they...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Types of Stressors
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
Psychological Responses to Stress

