Behavioral management of the triggers of recurrent headache: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the traditional advice to headache sufferers to avoid all triggers ('Avoidance'), and a novel approach to trigger management (Learning to Cope with Triggers - 'LCT') that included graduated exposure to selected triggers to promote desensitization. Individuals (84F, 43M) with migraine and/or tension-type headache were assigned randomly to one of four groups: Waiting-list (Waitlist); Avoidance; Avoidance combined with cognitive behavior therapy (Avoid+CBT); and LCT. Changes in headaches and medication consumption (in parentheses) from pre- to post-treatment were (a minus sign indicates improvement): Waitlist,+11.0% (+15.4%); Avoidance,-13.2% (-9.0%); Avoid+C..