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Assessment of chronic refractory headache: the role of the MMPI-2
R G Kurman1, K G Hursey, N T Mathew
1Houston Headache Clinic, Texas 77004.
Abstract:
We investigated the utility of the newly revised version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the MMPI-2, for assessing psychopathology in three diagnostic headache groups, Post Traumatic, Status Migrainosus, and Status Migrainosus with Analgesic Rebound. We also investigated whether distinct clusters of headache sufferers could be identified using the MMPI-2 clinical scales, and whether these clusters coincide with headache diagnosis. Eighty-one patients in treatment at the Houston Headache Clinic were diagnosed and administered the MMPI-2. Significant levels of psychopathology were found in all three diagnostic groups. Furthermore, Cluster analysis identified three clusters of patients with equal proportions of patients from the three diagnostic groups. Cluster 1 patients were abnormally high on many MMPI-2 clinical scales; Cluster 2 patients showed more moderate elevations, and Cluster 3 patients had essentially normal profiles. We concluded that the MMPI-2 offers additional information not available through medical diagnosis alone. Thus, it is crucial to include psychological assessment in any comprehensive evaluation of chronic headache patients. Further implications for treatment planning and effectiveness are discussed.
Insights
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) effectively assesses psychopathology in headache patients. Psychological assessment provides crucial insights beyond medical diagnosis for chronic headache evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Chronic headache disorders are prevalent and often associated with psychological distress.
- Accurate assessment of psychopathology is crucial for effective headache management.
- The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is a revised psychological assessment tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the MMPI-2's utility in assessing psychopathology across three headache diagnostic groups.
- To identify distinct patient clusters using MMPI-2 clinical scales.
- To determine if MMPI-2 clusters correlate with headache diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-one patients from the Houston Headache Clinic were diagnosed with Post Traumatic headache, Status Migrainosus, or Status Migrainosus with Analgesic Rebound.
- Patients completed the MMPI-2.
- Cluster analysis was performed on MMPI-2 clinical scale data.
Main Results:
- All three headache diagnostic groups exhibited significant levels of psychopathology.
- Cluster analysis revealed three distinct patient clusters.
- These clusters, characterized by varying MMPI-2 profile elevations, contained equal proportions of patients from each diagnostic group.
Conclusions:
- The MMPI-2 provides valuable psychological information that complements medical headache diagnoses.
- Psychological assessment is essential for a comprehensive evaluation of chronic headache patients.
- MMPI-2 findings have implications for personalized treatment planning and improving treatment effectiveness.