BIOFEEDBACK TREATMENT FOR PEDIATRIC MIGRAINE - PREDICTION OF TREATMENT OUTCOME

Despite a growing number of studies showing good effectiveness of nonp harmacological treatments such as thermal biofeedback (TBF) for pediat ric migraine, little is known about psychosocial variables that might be predictive of treatment outcome. The identification of predictors a ppears especially important when children are treated in a home-based treatment format that tends to be somewhat less effective than a thera pist-administered treatment. A total of 32 children between the ages 8 and 16 years completed a home-based TBF treatment program with treatm ent outcome being of similar magnitude as previously reported in the l iterature. Multiple regression analysis revealed externalizing behavio r tendencies, initial level of psychosomatic complaints, and the child 's age to be highly predictive of outcome, whereas dimensions of famil y functioning failed to exert a direct influence. The implications of these findings for the development and evaluation of future treatment programs are discussed.