Abstract
The available literature on the psychological treatment of childhood migraine was reviewed and evaluated. The current treatment modalities have relled essentially upon biofeedback techniques and neglected the potential cognitive factors that might lead to successful results. A case example is provided that demonstrates the combined treatment of childhood migraine using both biofeedback and rational emotive therapy (RET). Continued relief was reported during a follow-up interview conducted a year and a half after the treatment concluded. While both the biofeedback and RET elements for treatment were considered important for alleviation of the migraine condition, the subject reported that it was the RET training that proved most effective in dealing with stressors related to the onset of migraine attacks.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, H. E., Feuerstein, M., & Fowler, J. L. (1980). Migraine headache: Review of parameters, etiology and intervention.Psychological Bulletin, 87, 217–237.
Andrasik, F., Blanchard, E. B., Edlund, S. R., & Rosenblum, E. L. (in press). Autogenic feedback in the treatment of two children with migraine headache.Child & Family Behavior Therapy.
Bild, R., & Adams, H. E. (1980). Modification of migraine headaches by cephalic blood volume pulse and EMG biofeedback.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 51–57.
Bille, B. (1962). Migraine in school children.Acta Paediatrica (Uppsala), 51 (Supplement 136), 1–151.
Bille, B. (1968). Headaches in children. In P. J. Vinken & G. W. Bruyn (Eds.),Handbook of Clinical Neurology: Vol. 5 (pp. 239–246). Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing Co.
Bille, B. (1981). Migraine in childhood and its prognosis.Cephalalgia, 1, 71–75.
Blanchard, E. B., & Young, L. D. (1974). Clinical applications of biofeedback training: A review of the evidence.Archives of General Psychiatry, 30, 573–589.
Brown, J. K. (1974). migraine and migraine equivalents in children.Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 19, 683–692.
Congdon, P. J., & Forsythe, W. I. (1979). Migraine in childhood: A review.Clinical Pediatrics, 18, 353–359.
Diamond, S., & Franklin, M. (1976). Biofeedback—Choice of treatment in childhood migraine.Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1, 349. (Abstract)
Dikel, W., & Olness, K. (1980). Self-hypnosis, biofeedback and voluntary peripheral temperature control in children.Pediatrics, 66, 335–340.
Ellis, A., & Abrahms, E. (1978).Brief Psychotherapy in Medical and Health Practice. new York: Springer.
Gatchel, R. J., & Price, K. P. (Eds.). (1979).Clinical applications of biofeedback: Appraisal and status. New York: Pergamon Press.
Grieger, R. & Boyd, J. (1979).Rational-emotive therapy: A skills-based approach. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Hickling, E. J. (1981).Psychological implications and treatment of childhood migraine: A review and prospective approaches. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Denver, School of Professional Psychology.
Hinrichs, W. L., & Keith, H. M. (1965). Migraine in childhood: A follow-up report.Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 40, 593–596.
Lake, A. E. (1978). Biofeedback and rational-emotive therapy in the management of migraine headache. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan, 1978)Dissertation Abstracts International, 39, 2991-B.
Lake, A. E., Rainey, J., & Papsdorf, J. D. (1979). Biofeedback and rational-emotive therapy in the management of migraine headache.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 12, 127–140.
Meichenbaum, D. (1980). Cognitive factors in biofeedback therapy.Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1, 201–206.
Meichenbaum, D. (1977).Cognitive behavior modification. New York: Plenum Press.
Peper, E., & Grossman, E. (1979). Thermal biofeedback training in children with headache. In E. Peper, S. Ancoli, & M. Quinn (Eds.),Mind/body integration: Essential readings in biofeedback. New York: Plenum Press.
Prensky, A. L., & Sommer, D. (1979). Diagnosis and treatment of migraine in children.Neurology, 29, 506–510.
Reeves, J. L. (1976). EMG-biofeedback reduction of tension headache: A cognitive skills-training approach.Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1, 217–225.
Ryan, R. E., & Ryan, R. E. (1978).Headache and head pain: Diagnosis and treatment. St. Louis: The CU Mosby Co.
Schultz, J. H., & Luthe, W. (1969).Autogenic therapy. New York: Grune & Stratton.
Solbach, P., & Sargent, J. D. (1977). A follow-up evaluation of the Menninger pilot migraine study using thermal training.Headache, 17, 198–202.
Turk, D. C., Meichenbaum, D. H., & Berman, W. H. (1979). Application of biofeedback for the regulation of pain: A critical review.Psychological Bulletin, 86, 1322–1338.
Werder, D. S. (1978, March).An exploratory study of childhood migraine using thermal biofeedback as a treatment alternative. Paper presented in the proceedings of the Biofeedback Society of America, Ninth Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marrazo, M.J., Hickling, E.J. & Sison, G.F.P. The combined use of rational-emotive therapy and biofeedback in the treatment of childhood migraine. J Rational-Emot Cognitive-Behav Ther 2, 27–31 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02281209
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02281209