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Internet-Based Self-Help Training for Children and Adolescents with Recurrent Headache: A Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2008

Ellen Trautmann*
Affiliation:
University of Göttingen, Germany
Birgit Kröner-Herwig
Affiliation:
University of Göttingen, Germany
*
Reprint requests to Ellen Trautmann, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Goßlerstrasse 14, 37073 Göttingen, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] An extended version is also available online in the table of contents for this issue: http://journals.cambridge.org/jid_BCP

Abstract

We report the results of a randomized controlled trial that compared the efficacy of an internet-based self-help treatment for paediatric headache including chat communication (cognitive-behavioural treatment, CBT) with an internet-based psychoeducation intervention (EDU). In the CBT group, significant pre- to post-treatment decreases were found for headache frequency and pain catastrophizing, but not for headache intensity or duration. In the EDU group none of the variables (frequency, intensity, duration, pain catastrophizing) showed improvement. No significant between group differences were found for headache variables and pain catastrophizing at post-treatment. The patients reported high satisfaction with the internet-based training and a good patient-trainer-alliance. Results were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Due to the small sample size, no general conclusions can be drawn regarding the efficacy of the internet-based training regarding the outcome variables, but the training was well accepted by patients. Further research is necessary to evaluate the therapeutic potential of such interventions.

Type
Brief Clinical Reports
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008

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References

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