Cognitive coping skills training and relaxation training as treatments for tension headaches.

ABSTRACT : 23 adults (aged 21–62 yrs) who met criteria for tension headaches completed 8 weekly sessions of small group treatment with either progressive relaxation or cognitive therapy. Outcome measures included a headache diary, a questionnaire to assess perceived coping ability and control over headaches, and an item to assess expectancy about the effectiveness of treatment. The proportion of Ss showing clinically significant improvement in headache activity was greater for cognitive than for relaxation therapy. An index of mean number of days/wk with a headache clearly differentiated the groups. Both treatments appeared to produce improvements in self-rated ability to cope with headaches.