Abstract
Headache (HA) disorders constitute a public health problem which impacts on individuals and on society. The functional limitations and participation restrictions caused by chronic HA’s may be a more reliable indication of the severity of the disorder than the intensity and HA pattern itself. Evaluation of all these parameters may assist holistic assessment, with impact on the health care of chronic HA sufferers. A quantitative retrospective study of 450 patients’ perceptions of the impact of chronic recurrent cervicogenic HA (CRCHA) was done by reviewing clinical notes made at first consultation. Bio-demographic data, Total Pain Pattern and impact of HA’s on function, relationships and emotions were recorded using Likert scales. High scores were reported for severe functional disability (60% of the subjects), for considerable emotional handicap (41%) and for negative impact on close relationships (86%). Decreased productivity was reported by 89% of the population studied. Subjects expressed emotions of anxiety (75%), anger (48%) and helplessness (62%). CRCHA has a severe impact on the health-related quality of life of individuals. A combination of these results and existing instruments is currently being used to develop a measuring instrument reflecting a bio-psychosocial approach to assessment. This may improve physiotherapy management of CRCHA patients and may facilitate outcome-based research in this field.
Highlights
This study was done as part of a process of developing a holistic instrument to assess the severity and impact of chronic, recurrent cervicogenic headache (As described by Edeling, 1994; Jull, 1997) on patients
There is a dearth of information on the impact of headache (HA) on the quality of life of individuals suffering from migraine and tension-type headache (TTHA) (Blomkvist et al, 1997; Davies et al, 1999;Fishman and Black, 1999; Michel et al, 1999; Peterson-Braun and Gobel, 1994)
A reliable and valid measure of outcome of physiotherapy treatment may contribute to the profession’s credibility and public image and may facilitate outcome research in physiotherapy. It can be concluded from the results of this retrospective study, and from the literature reviewed, that individuals with cervicogenic HA (CRCHA) experience considerable restriction of daily function, limitation of social participation and emotional distress
Summary
This study was done as part of a process of developing a holistic instrument to assess the severity and impact of chronic (longer than one year), recurrent (once a month or more) cervicogenic headache (As described by Edeling, 1994; Jull, 1997) on patients. When using a biopsychosocial approach to health care, the impairment as well as the impact on functional activities and participation in life situations must be addressed. Measuring headacherelated disability may provide physio therapists with information that can help in determining which treatment options may be optimal for the patient. This process is challenging because of the wide spectrum of intensity and frequency of attacks, and variation in impact of the impairment on individuals. There is a dearth of information on the impact of headache (HA) on the quality of life of individuals suffering from migraine and tension-type headache (TTHA) (Blomkvist et al, 1997; Davies et al, 1999;Fishman and Black, 1999; Michel et al, 1999; Peterson-Braun and Gobel, 1994). No studies were found which included a group of individuals suffering from CRCHA
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