AsianScientist (Jul. 26, 2011) – As Australia marks its first National Pain Week (July 24-30), RMIT University researchers have begun recruiting volunteers for a new study investigating the use of acupuncture and counseling as a treatment for tension headaches.
Tension headaches are common among Australians, with approximately seven million Australians being regular sufferers. Up to 60 percent of such patients report reduced effectiveness at work, home, and school because of the painful condition.
Traditionally, these patients have been treated with simple analgesics such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, in a study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), various research clinics Melbourne are currently seeking volunteers to test the effectiveness of non-drug treatment options.
Eligible participants will be offered acupuncture, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or a combined treatment for 12 to 16 sessions over 12 weeks. Each session is expected to last between 30 to 50 minutes.
These clinics, located in Melbourne’s CBD, Bundoora, Box Hill, Mt. Waverley, and Geelong, are currently seeking volunteers aged 18 to 65 who have suffered from tension-type headaches more than one day a month in the last 12 months.
Professor Ken Greenwood, Professor of Psychology in RMIT’s School of Health Sciences, said the project explored the potential effects of combining the two treatments.
“Current pharmaceutical treatments for tension headache offer short-term relief but nearly 80 percent of users report adverse effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, weight gain, or dizziness,” Greenwood said.
“There are also concerns about the health impact of regularly relying on pain medications and their effectiveness in the long-term. We know that when acupuncture and CBT treatments are used separately, they can provide relief for people who suffer from tension headache. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of combining these treatments, to see if that provides better and longer lasting relief from tension headaches,” he said.
The collaborative research involves acupuncture and pain researchers, psychologists, pain specialists, and neurologists from RMIT, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, and Griffith University.
——
Source: RMIT.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
