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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00417742

Project CHEER (Comprehensive Headache Evaluation, Education, Relief)

PROJECT CHEER is a randomized controlled trial designed to test the effectiveness of a comprehensive focused approach to headache care. Three institutions are collaborating in this trial by establishing special Headache Programs that can provide individualized treatment and follow-up: Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC; Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA; and Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, CA. Support and oversight are provided by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

HEADACHE sufferers age 18 and over whose headaches interfere with their ability to work, study or enjoy life are eligible for this trial. Half of the enrolled individuals will be selected at random to receive care in the Headache Program and half will continue to receive care as usual from their primary care providers.

EVALUATION is an important part of this project. Every participant completes a screening interview and survey at the time of enrollment. The initial evaluation will provide an accurate diagnosis of headache type(s). The results of this evaluation will be reported to the primary care provider and may help to provide usual care. Subjects assigned to the Headache Program are further evaluated by the program manager in consultation with a headache specialist.

EDUCATION in headache care is provided to participants assigned to the Headache Program.

The classes include suggestions on diet and lifestyle as well as a review of medication use.

Note: The above is excerpted from the flyer we distributed to recruit patients to the trial.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Headache Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Headache Headache Disorders Headache Disorders, Primary Migraine Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Tension-Type Headache

Age range

21 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, California, United States

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About this study

The purpose of this study is to determine whether headache management programs should be promoted as a preferred strategy for managing patients with chronic disabling headache.

Chronic headache affects between 6% and 17% of the population and is associated with significant numbers of days lost from work and reduced quality of life, as well as disproportionate use of medical resources. Current treatment is sub-optimal, with patients often not adequately diagnosed and/or not receiving appropriate preventive and acute pharmacologic therapy or behavioral modification. As a result, chronic headache is associated with sub-optimal quality of care, high patient dissatisfaction as well as high cost to individuals, insurers, and society.

The specific hypothesis of this study is that a properly designed headache management program (HMP) will reduce headache-related disability, improve process of care, and reduce management costs for patients with chronic headache. The format is a randomized controlled trial in which a patient population participating in a HMP will be compared with a corresponding patient population receiving usual care. A pilot study1 has determined the components of an optimal HMP and the effectiveness of a prototype of this service with a limited number of patients at a Kaiser Permanente facility in Santa Rosa, California.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • age 21 or over
  • have chronic headache thought to be of tension-type, migraine or mixed etiology
  • intend to continue headache care at their current location for the next six months
  • MIDAS score >5

Exclusion criteria

  • Under age 21
  • Currently seeing a neurologist for headache care
  • Currently being seen in a Headache Clinic
  • MIDAS score <5

Treatment and study plan

Service delivery through a Headache Management Program

Behavioral

Primary outcomes

  1. MIDAS, simple and accurate five-question survey that measures days lost to headache disability during the last 3 months and also headache pain on a 10-point scale.

  2. The measure is taken by telephone at the screening interview and by mailed survey at basel

Secondary outcomes

  1. CATI headache diagnostic survey is administered by telephone at the screening interview to obtain a diagnosis of headache type.

  2. SF-36 Quality of Life Survey is administered by mailed survey at baseline and at 6 and 12 months

  3. Health Care Utilization Measures will include self-report by patients on the mailed surveys at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months.

  4. Patients are asked about their use of outpatient, inpatient and emergency room services, as well as use of alternative therapies (e.g., accupuncture, massage therpay, herbalists) and prescription and nonprescription drugs.

  5. Patient reports will be validated by administrative utilization data and by a limited chart review at each site.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Duke University

Other

Collaborators

  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
  • Innovative Medical
  • Thomas Jefferson University

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Trial of Headache Management Programs

Important dates

Study start
2002
Study completion
2004
First posted
Jan 4, 2007
Registry last updated
Aug 22, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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