Quasi-experimental Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Reliving Migraine Headaches in Migraine Sufferers

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on relieving migraine headaches in migraine sufferers. Materials & Methods: The research was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test method. The samples were outpatients of Public hospitals in Ilam since May - July 2010. They were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and divided into experimental group and control group. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16. and via multivariate covariance method. . Results: The results showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy affected on reducing the duration of symptoms of migraine in sufferers (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cognitive behavioral therapy effects on reducing the time duration of symptoms of migraine headaches. This therapeutic method increases the level of individual, familial, social and occupational activities by reducing the time duration of symptoms and this method helps the individuals to resume their activities and regain their previous control instead of founding themselves incapable and helpless due to the pain they suffer from.