Empirically supported treatments in pediatric psychology: Recurrent pediatric headache

Objective: To review the empirical research examining behavioral treatments for recurrent pediatric headache. Methods: Thirty-one investigations published after 1980 were reviewed using predetermined criteria to evaluate the adequacy of research methodologies. A modification of criteria proposed for evaluating the efficacy of psychol ogical interventions for adults (Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures, 1995) was used to evaluate the adequacy of evi dence available for individual intervention strategies. Results: Sufficient evidence exists to conclude that relaxation/self-hypnos is is a well-established and efficacious treatment for recurrent headache. Furthermore, enough evidence exists to conclude that thermal biofeedback al one is a probably efficacious treatment. Other promising interventions have been tested that combine relaxation and biofeedback or integrate other cog nitive-behavioral treatment approaches, but are limited by inadequate resea rch methodologies. Conclusions: We discuss the importance of developmentally based conceptual models and the impact of diagnostic heterogeneity and offer specific recomm endations for future intervention research in the area of recurrent pediatr ic headache.