THE DURABILITY OF RELAXATION TRAINING IN PEDIATRIC HEADACHE MANAGEMENT

The long-term effects of relaxation training for pediatric headache di sorders was determined for all four original participants from a multi ple baseline across subjects design. Long-term follow-up data were col lected at a mean of 81 months post-treatment. All participants reporte d some increases in headache activity from 12-month to long-term follo w-up, but at relatively low levels compared with baseline. Headache-fr ee days were 51% to 86% fewer Headache severity was 81% to 94% better, and headache duration was 75% to 94% better than baseline levels. Med ication used was limited to over-the-counter analgesics on an as-neede d basis for all subjects. Three subjects (75%) stated that they would recommend relaxation training to other individuals experiencing headac hes. The results of this study support the conclusion that relaxation training is an effective long-term treatment for migraine, tension, an d mixed headache disorders originating in childhood or adolescence.