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Behavioural assessment and treatment of chronic headaches in children
1Faculty of Education, School of Graduate Studies, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.
Insights
Behavioral strategies effectively manage childhood headaches. Assessment methods include interviews and observations, with relaxation training and biofeedback showing promise for treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Childhood headaches are a significant concern, impacting quality of life.
- Behavioral factors play a crucial role in headache presentation and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in behavioral assessment of childhood headaches.
- To evaluate the efficacy of behavioral treatment strategies for pediatric headaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of behavioral assessment techniques.
- Analysis of research supporting behavioral interventions for childhood headaches.
Main Results:
- Behavioral assessment includes interviews, self-report, self-monitoring, and caregiver observations.
- Behavioral treatments are effective, particularly relaxation training and biofeedback.
- Research support for other behavioral strategies is less established.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral assessment and treatment offer a promising approach for childhood headaches.
- Further research is needed to expand the evidence base for various behavioral interventions.
Abstract:
This review explores advances in the behavioural assessment and treatment of childhood headaches. Behavioural assessment procedures are outlined including the behavioural interview, self-report questionnaires, self-monitoring and caregiver observations. We conclude that behavioural treatment strategies are effective in the management of childhood headaches, although most of the research support appears to be limited to relaxation training and biofeedback. Nonetheless, the behavioural assessment and treatment of childhood headaches appears to be a promising clinical and research direction.