Psychosocial Interventions in the Management of Recurrent Headache Disorders 1: Overview and Effectiveness

Abstract

This is the first in a series of three articles addressing nonpharmacologic therapies for management of recurrent migraine and tension-type headache. It provides an overview of the commonly employed nonpharmacologic therapies for recurrent headache, reviews scientific evidence of their efficacy, and identifies the psychosocial interventions that have the greatest potential to enhance the management of recurrent migraine and tension-type headache in primary care settings internationally. In the second article, the authors offer practical guidelines for the administration of recommended nonpharmacologic interventions. The third article explores healthcare policy implications involved in a decision to incorporate psychosocial interventions into primary care practice.

Index Terms:

• headache disorders
• migraine
• nonpharmacologic therapies
• psychosocial interventions