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Research Article: Diagnostics and Management of Pediatric Headache: An Exploratory Study among Dutch Physical Therapists

Date Published: 2023-06-30

Abstract:
Physiotherapists are often part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan for children with headaches. The literature on physical therapeutic diagnostics and management of headaches is often focused on adults. To gain insight, identify knowledge gaps, and increase the evidence needed for clinical physical therapeutic practice with children with headaches, an exploratory method is warranted. The purpose of this study was to describe the views, beliefs, and experiences of physical therapists regarding diagnostics and treatment options for children with headaches. The method consisted of a survey and two peer consultation group meetings. A total of 195 individual surveys were returned and 31 out of 47 peer consultation groups participated. Most participants were specialized in pediatric physical therapy (93.3%). They use the 4P-factor model (predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective factors) as a guiding principle in the diagnostic and therapeutic process in children with headaches. This model helps to organize and to understand how a variety of factors interact in a biopsychosocial relationship. Pediatric physical therapists focus their treatments on factors interfering with movement and functional abilities of the child with headaches. Knowledge of how temporomandibular disfunction can relate to headaches is currently insufficient for pediatric physical therapists.

Introduction:
A headache is the second most common health complaint among children and adults and the second leading cause of disability worldwide [1,2]. Tension-type headaches (TTHs) and migraines are the most prevalent types of headaches among children and adults, with a global age standardized prevalence of 26.1% for TTHs and 14.4% for migraines. Headache prevalence rates increase with age [1,2]. Headache attacks can seriously affect quality of life, especially when they are frequent, and children with headaches often miss…

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