Examining a Novel Treatment for Persistent Headache After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
This study will test a new treatment, called Headache reprocessing, for persistent post-traumatic headache. The new treatment will be compared to a headache education intervention. The main objectives of the study are to examine the feasibility, safety, and clinical appropriateness of the new treatment.
Description
Persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH) is a common, debilitating health condition affecting Veterans and civilians. Relative to other headache disorders, PPTH is especially severe and impairing. PPTH has no established first-line treatments at this time. This research seeks to develop a new behavioral treatment, called headache reprocessing, to target fear and avoidance behaviors and cognitions, and associated neural changes, that drive PPTH. This trial will test the feasibility, safety, and clinical appropriateness of Headache Reprocessing Therapy by comparing it to a headache education co…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Enrolled in healthcare at VA San Diego Healthcare System; 2. History of mild TBI (mTBI), or head injury that is below the diagnostic threshold for mTBI 3. Headache that had its lifetime onset or significantly worsened within 90 days of a concussive event 4. Headache has persisted for at least 90 days since its onset or worsening 5. No changes in past 3 months to medical management of headache or comorbid psychiatric symptoms, and no anticipated changes during the study interval 6. No current participation in psychological intervention for pain or headache Exclusion Cri…
Interventions
- BehavioralHeadache reprocessing
Behavior therapy focused on sensations and avoidance behaviors
- BehavioralHeadache education
Education about ways to limit and manage headaches
Location
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CASan Diego, California