Ernst MM

Mind and body cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT‐HA) relaxation skills emerged as popular and effective for pediatric migraine sufferers, based on patient and parent reports in a recent study. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 patients and 9 of their parents who had undergone CBT‐HA. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach based upon modified grounded theory. Patients were ranged in age from 13 to 17.5 years (median=15.4, standard deviation=1.63) and had undergone CBT‐HA about 1 to 2 years prior to participating in the study. Researchers found:

• Overall, patients and their parents reported that CBT‐HA was helpful in reducing headache frequency and related disability.
• Although patients provided mixed reports on the effectiveness of different CBT‐HA skills, the majority of patients indicated that the mind and body relaxation skills of CBT‐HA (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and activity pacing in particular) were the most helpful and most frequently used skills.
• Patients and parents also generally reported that treatment was easy to learn, and noted at least some aspect of treatment was enjoyable.

CBT for pediatric migraine: A qualitative study of patient and parent experience. Headache. 2018;58(5):661-675. doi:10.1111/head.13285.

Mind and body cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT‐HA) relaxation skills emerged as popular and effective for pediatric migraine sufferers, based on patient and parent reports in a recent study. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 patients and 9 of their parents who had undergone CBT‐HA. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach based upon modified grounded theory. Patients were ranged in age from 13 to 17.5 years (median=15.4, standard deviation=1.63) and had undergone CBT‐HA about 1 to 2 years prior to participating in the study. Researchers found:

• Overall, patients and their parents reported that CBT‐HA was helpful in reducing headache frequency and related disability.
• Although patients provided mixed reports on the effectiveness of different CBT‐HA skills, the majority of patients indicated that the mind and body relaxation skills of CBT‐HA (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and activity pacing in particular) were the most helpful and most frequently used skills.
• Patients and parents also generally reported that treatment was easy to learn, and noted at least some aspect of treatment was enjoyable.

CBT for pediatric migraine: A qualitative study of patient and parent experience. Headache. 2018;58(5):661-675. doi:10.1111/head.13285.

Mind and body cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT‐HA) relaxation skills emerged as popular and effective for pediatric migraine sufferers, based on patient and parent reports in a recent study. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 patients and 9 of their parents who had undergone CBT‐HA. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach based upon modified grounded theory. Patients were ranged in age from 13 to 17.5 years (median=15.4, standard deviation=1.63) and had undergone CBT‐HA about 1 to 2 years prior to participating in the study. Researchers found:

• Overall, patients and their parents reported that CBT‐HA was helpful in reducing headache frequency and related disability.
• Although patients provided mixed reports on the effectiveness of different CBT‐HA skills, the majority of patients indicated that the mind and body relaxation skills of CBT‐HA (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and activity pacing in particular) were the most helpful and most frequently used skills.
• Patients and parents also generally reported that treatment was easy to learn, and noted at least some aspect of treatment was enjoyable.

CBT for pediatric migraine: A qualitative study of patient and parent experience. Headache. 2018;58(5):661-675. doi:10.1111/head.13285.