Pharmacological behavioural treatment for children and adolescents with tension-type headache: preliminary data

Recurrent headaches are a significant health problem for young patients. Most current investigations have employed limited modalities (either medication or behavioural) and few have included treatment comparisons. The purpose of this study was to compare relaxation training (provided in a limited contact format) and amitriptyline in the treatment of young tension-type headache (TTH) sufferers. Follow-up is planned for 3, 6 and 12 months, at which time patients complete headache logs and an Italian version of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire that has been adapted for this age group. Two groups of TTH sufferers of similar age and characteristics were studied. Clinical results, MIDAS total score, and individual values for items A and B were collected at the first follow-up (3 months). The clinical improvement is significant for both groups. Although the clinical results are similar in both groups, relaxation therapy seems to be more accepted than pharmacological therapy. These data, however, are preliminary and the sample sizes are small, so these conclusions are tentative. We will continue our data collection for 12 months.