Exploring Psychological Factors Involved in Cluster Headache Pain
#1
Wed, 29/11/2023 - 22:14
Exploring Psychological Factors Involved in Cluster Headache Pain
Please note that recruitment for this study is now complete
The University of East Anglia is carrying out a study exploring psychological factors involved in cluster headache pain. The study will involve an interview and you will receive a £10 Love2Shop Voucher for taking part!
Full details in the link below. If you are interested, please contact h.whitley@uea.ac.uk to find out more.
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Anne (Trustee)
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I have taken part in this study and Helena, who is undertaking this, is a wonderful, caring person, taking time and interest in our horrible CH experiences. Much praise and love to her.
It's great to get this feedback. Thank you.
Dorothy
OUCH (UK) Trustee
Helena, who carried out the study, has now completed this work and has produced a poster which summarises her findings. She has also had an article accepted in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, available here. Below is an abstract of her article:
"If We Had Blood Pouring Out of Our Eyeballs, People Would Notice"; a Qualitative Exploration into the Psychological Experience of Cluster Headache
Background
The primary headache disorder, Cluster Headache (CH), is known as one of the most painful conditions a human can experience. This study aimed to explore the psychological experience of living with CH, both during acute headache attacks and between attacks.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 adults with episodic or chronic CH. Interviews were carried out via Microsoft Teams or the telephone. Qualitative interview data was analysed using Reflective Thematic Analysis through a critical realist lens. Participants also completed the Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire and Pain Catastrophising Scale.
Results
Reflective Thematic Analysis resulted in five themes emerging related to the psychological experience of CH: “Darkness”, “Battling”, “Shifting”, “Control”, and “Despair”. Psychological experiences during the acute attack appeared distinct from experiences of the condition between attacks. The psychological experience was impacted by how long participants had lived with the condition, and by whether they had the episodic or chronic form. Individuals living with the chronic form of CH reported increased despair and depression, due to lack of respite from the pain. In contrast, individuals living with Episodic CH were less despairing due to pain-free periods, but highlighted the uncertainty that comes with bout periods disrupting their life.
Conclusion
Living with CH is a complex and challenging psychological experience. Further research to identify how psychological processes may maintain distress and exacerbate pain could help establish a psychological model of CH. Such a model could, in turn, enable exploration of psychological techniques to support individuals during and between CH attacks. Authors also call for research to explore how to increase visibility of CH.
Anne (Trustee)