Research: LARSSON and CARLSSON,

Listed in Issue 20

Abstract

LARSSON and CARLSSON, Centre for Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden compared the clinical efficacy of a school-based relaxation training intervention administered by a nurse to a no-treatment control for children aged 1015 years suffering from chronic tension headache.

Background

Methodology

26 children were randomly assigned to either relaxation or no-treatment groups. Outcome results were recorded at post-treatment and at 6 months follow-up.

Results

Compared to the control group, headache activity in the relaxation training group was significantly more reduced at post-treatment and at 6 months. Of the children treated with relaxation, 69% and 73% at post-treatment and 6 months respectively achieved a clinically significant headache improvement at least 50% improvement compared to only 8% and 27% of the control no-treatment pupils.

Conclusion

A school-based, nurse-administered relaxation training programme appears to be a viable treatment approach for children suffering with chronic tension-type headaches.

References

Larsson B and Carlsson J. A school-based, nurse-administered relaxation training for children with chronic tension-type headache. J Pediatr Psychol 21(5): 60314. Oct 1996.

Comment

It is indeed heartening to see practical clinical implementation of an invaluable and cost-effective regimen, which will doubtless improve the lives of these children and their families.

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