Headache: patient education as part of a multidisciplinary treatment. Are there reliable results?

• Published in: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz Vol. 57; no. 8; pp. 961 - 966
• Main Author: Gaul, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-08-2014
• Subjects: Combined Modality Therapy - methods; Evidence-Based Medicine; Headache - diagnosis; Headache - psychology; Headache - therapy; Humans; Patient Care Team; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Self Care - methods; Self Care - psychology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1437-1588
• DOI: 10.1007/s00103-014-2002-8

Patient education is an important part of successful headache therapy. Patient education can enhance self-efficacy and influence the locus of control. Motivation and adherence to nonpharmacological therapy (aerobic endurance training and relaxation training) as well as pharmacological therapy may be improved by headache-specific patient education. Patients with specific knowledge of their headache disorder and headache treatment may be more self-confident and successful in handling their disease. In moderately affected headache patients, education alone may result in improvement, whereas education as part of a multidisciplinary treatment is superior in severely affected and chronic patients. All components of a multidisciplinary treatment program should be harmonized toward a comprehensive concept. Patients should take an active part in the therapy.