DreKiP – ein ambulantes Therapieprogramm für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Kopfschmerzen

Abstract

Headaches are a frequent health problem among children and adolescents. The ocurrence of headaches and the resulting impairments in the quality of life and activities of daily living are modulated by biopsychosocial interactions, which necessitate a complex treatment program. The Dresden Childrens Headache Program (DreKiP) is amultidisciplinary therapy program consisting of eight modules for children and adolescents: education, stress relief, relaxation techniques, physical fitness, climbing therapy, art therapy and sensory training. In addition, there are six modules containing parallel workshops for parents. This outpatient program lasts 2-3months and is performed parallel to the daily and school routine. Therapy groups consist of 6-8patients in each age group. In total patients receive 15 h and the parents 7 h of therapy. Concomitant with the program, headache-associated data, such as headache frequency, medication use and school absence are documented. So far 32children and adolescents in groups of 11, 14-15, 14-16, 17 and 17-18 years old completed the program. Of the 32patients 19 presented with migraine and tension type headache, 6/32 with migraine and 7/32 with tension type headache only. The median number of headache days was 15 per month and 4 official school absence days per month. Preliminary results 6months after the end of the therapy program showed reduced frequency of headaches in three quarters of our patients. The headache frequency was reduced from an initial median of 15days per month to a median of 8days per month after the program. The multidisciplinary program DreKiP improves the use of therapeutic means in children and adolescents with primary headaches. Children and adolescents with headache-related impairment in activities of daily life in school and leisure times constitute the target group of this therapy.