Highlights from the literature

CBT for migraine In April 2017, Lucina reported on evidence that most of the apparent effectiveness of drugs used for migraine prevention is probably placebo effect (doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2017–3 12 882). Wouldn’t it be good if there was a treatment that was highly effective in the real world, whether through placebo effect or not, without any risk of drug side-effects? Well there is, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis (Ng QX, et al; Headache 2017 doi: doi.org/10.1111/head.13016). The Singaporean authors looked for trials investigating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in childhood migraine and/or headache. They found 14 studies which could be meta-analysed. All were randomised controlled trials, but by their nature they could not be double-blind. Control interventions varied: some received drugs, some non-drug support, and some nothing. All used headache frequency as the primary outcome. The meta-analysis conclusion was striking: the odds of a reduction...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Miscellanea Source Type: research