CLINICAL-BASED VERSUS HOME-BASED TREATMENT FORMATS FOR CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC HEADACHE

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural trea tment programme, delivered in either clinic-based group format, or hom e-based minimal-therapist-contact format, in the treatment of chronic headache (migraine, tension or combined), for 10-12-year-old children. Subjects were assigned randomly to three conditions: clinic-based tre atment (eight sessions); home-based treatment (three sessions suppleme nted by working at home from treatment manuals); and waiting-list cont rol. Both treatment conditions were associated with significant reduct ions in headaches, but no changes occurred for the control condition. The two treatment formats were equally efficacious; however, the home- based format was over twice as cost effective as the clinic-based form at.