O2103: Biofeedback training in child and adolescent patients may reduce headache pain by decreasing insomnia and improving sleep

Background: Biofeedback (BFB) is effective for multiple pain conditions in adults, and for headaches in children and adolescents.

There is little evidence regarding efficacy of BFB for sleep improvement in child and adolescent patients, especially in those with chronic headaches.

Methodological concerns and mixed results in research on BFB for insomnia necessitate future well-designed studies to establish its clinical effectiveness in insomnia treatment.

This prospective study asks:

Does BFB training improve sleep in the child and adolescent headache patient?

2) If sleep is improved, does headache pain decrease with BFB training?

Methods: Study design: Case study.

Subjects received the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire during their first and last weeks of BFB training, Headache frequency and intensity assessed at 1st and 6th biofeedback session.

Research procedures:

This study recruited 10 patients with chronic headaches scheduled to begin BFB training within the next 4 weeks. Patients were administered a PSQI questionnaire at their 1st biofeedback session and at their 6th and final biofeedback session. Headache frequency and intensity assessed at 1st and 6th biofeedback session.

Data Analyzed: using paired t two tailed tests.

Results: All variables trended positive, with pain days per week and intensity reaching significance.

BFB appears to be effective in improving sleep in child and adolescent patients with chronic headaches.

Conclusion: All variables trended positive, with pain days per week and intensity reaching significance.

BFB appears to be effective for improving sleep in child and adolescent patients with chronic headaches.

BFB offers a promising adjunct intervention or promising alternative when CBT-I is contraindicated or inadequate, as well as for those reluctant to engage in traditional psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy. BFB has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of several disorders that frequently co-occur with insomnia.

These data will inform clinical guidelines for appropriate use of BFB for child and adolescent headache patients with associated sleep issues.