Integrated care for migraine and chronic tension-type headaches: A prospective observational study

• Published in: Complementary therapies in clinical practice Vol. 36; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Cramer, Holger, Hehlke, Marie, Vasmer, Jonas, Rampp, Thomas, Anheyer, Dennis, Saha, Felix J., Paul, Anna, Lauche, Romy, Dobos, Gustav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Anxiety; Chronic headaches; Chronic pain; Drugs; Headache; Headaches; Inpatient care; Integrated care; Interdisciplinary aspects; Mental depression; Migraine; Nursing; Observational studies; Outpatient treatment; Patients; Quality of life; Self-efficacy; Treatment methods; Treatment needs; Headache; Migraine; Integrated care
• ISSN: 1744-3881; 1873-6947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.04.001

This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the effects of an interdisciplinary multimodal integrated care program in patients with chronic migraine and/or tension-type headache. Patients (n = 158) underwent inpatient, outpatient and/or semi-stationary treatment including conventional as well as complementary headache treatment. Headache frequency was defined as the primary outcome; secondary outcomes included pain (VAS, PPS), medication use, quality of life (SF-36), function (HDI, PSFS), depression and anxiety (HADS), and pain self-efficacy (PSEQ). Headache frequency decreased from 17.0 ± 8.8 days/month at treatment start to 11.4 ± 9.2 at treatment end and to 10.6 ± 9.3 at 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001). All other outcome measures also improved across the course of the study (all p < 0.001). An integrated care approach based on integrative medicine improved headache symptoms and functioning in patients with chronic migraine and/or tension-type headache. Interdisciplinary multimodal treatment approaches seem to adequately address the specific treatment needs of headache patients. •An integrated care program for patients with migraine or tension-type headache was established.•The program encompassed inpatient and outpatient treatment including conventional and complementary medicine approaches.•Headache frequency decreased from 17.0 ± 8.8 days/month before treatment to 10.6 ± 9.3 days/month at 6-month follow-up.•The program further improved pain intensity, medication use, quality of life, function, depression, anxiety, self-efficacy.