An analysis of home practice patterns for non-drug headache treatments

Regular home practice of non-drug training techniques is assumed essential for improved headache control. In numerous research studies on non-drug treatment efficacy, subjects have been routinely required to practice daily self-regulation techniques. This paper examines the relationship between amount of home practice and treatment outcome, and the extent to which subjects adhere to training requirements. A total of 42 subjects completed daily home practice records for 32 weeks. Fourteen subjects had randomly been assigned to an autogenic phases group, 17 to an electromyographic biofeedback group, and 11 to a thermal training group. All subjects charted frequency of practice, change of feeling in the target area, time required to bring about the change, and general body relaxation. Relationships between subject compliance and 11 selected variables including demographics, headache activity components, treatment group, and treatment outcome were evaluated. Results support home practice, but place greater emphasis on its quality rather than its quantity.