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Brief Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Chronic Tension-Type Headache: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 April 2013

Stuart Cathcart ,
Nicola Galatis ,
Maarten Immink ,
Michael Proeve  and
John Petkov
Stuart Cathcart*
Affiliation:
University of Canberra, Australia
Nicola Galatis
Affiliation:
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Maarten Immink
Affiliation:
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Michael Proeve
Affiliation:
University of Adelaide, Australia
John Petkov
Affiliation:
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
*
Reprint requests to Stuart Cathcart, Centre for Applied Psychology, University of Canberra, Bruce 2601, Australia. E-mail: stuart.cathcart@canberra.edu.au
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Abstract

Background: Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) has been demonstrated to be effective for reducing chronic pain symptoms; however, the use of MBT for Chronic Tension-Type Headache (CTH) exclusively has to date not been examined. Typically, MBT for chronic pain has involved an 8-week program based on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Recent research suggests briefer mindfulness-based treatments may be effective for chronic pain. Aims: To conduct a pilot study into the efficacy of brief MBT for CTH. Method: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a brief (6-session, 3-week) MBT for CTH. Results: Results indicated a significant decrease in headache frequency and an increase in the mindfulness facet of Observe in the treatment but not wait-list control group. Conclusion: Brief MBT may be an effective intervention for CTH.

Keywords

Chronic tension-type headachemindfulnessstress reductionpaintherapy
Type
Empirically Grounded Clinical Interventions
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 1 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2013 

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