[Digitalization in headache therapy]

Study Design and Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Efficacy of a Smartphone-Based Therapy of Migraine (SMARTGEM)

Background

Digitalization and electronic health (eHealth) offer new treatment approaches for patients with migraine. Current smartphone applications (apps) for migraine patients include a wide spectrum of functions ranging from digital headache diaries to app-based headache treatment by, among others, analysis of the possible triggers, behavioral therapy approaches and prophylactic non-drug treatment methods with relaxation therapy or endurance sport. Additional possibilities arise through the use of modern, location-independent communication methods, such as online consultations. However, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding the benefits and/or risks of these electronic tools for patients. To date, only few randomized controlled trials have assessed eHealth applications.

Methods

SMARTGEM is a randomized controlled trial assessing whether the provision of a new digital integrated form of care consisting of the migraine app M-sense in combination with a communication platform (with online consultations and medically moderated patient forum) leads to a reduction in headache frequency in migraine patients, improving quality of life, reducing medical costs and work absenteeism (DRKS-ID: DRKS00016328).

Discussion

SMARTGEM constitutes a new integrated approach for migraine treatment, which aims to offer an effective, location-independent, time-saving and cost-saving treatment. The design of the study is an example of how to gather high quality evidence in eHealth. Results are expected to provide insightful information on the efficacy of the use of electronic health technology in improving the quality of life in patients suffering from migraine and reducing resource consumption.

[Presentation of an innovative interdisciplinary and cross-sector therapeutic concept for pain patients as part of a regional selective contract]

Hintergrund

Eine gestufte Versorgung in der Behandlung chronisch schmerzkranker Patient*innen ist in Deutschland nur in Ansätzen vorhanden. Vor dem Hintergrund der aktuellen Pandemiebedingungen hat sich eine Unter- und Fehlversorgung weiter verschärft.

Ziel

Entwicklung und Aufbau eines sektorenübergreifenden Behandlungskonzepts für schmerzkranke Patient*innen im Rahmen eines Selektivvertrags.

Methoden

Eingebettet in bereits vorhandene Versorgungsstrukturen wurden nach vorbezeichneten Kriterien sieben Versorgungspfade (Clinical Pathways, CP) definiert, in die eingeschriebene Patient*innen nach einem interdisziplinären Assessment geleitet werden.

Aufbau

Im CP I verbleiben die Patient*innen in der Regelversorgung. Im CP II wird zusätzlich eine einmalige interprofessionelle Edukation von 3 h zur Prophylaxe weiterer Chronifizierung angeboten. Im CP III gehen die Patient*innen für sechs Monate in eine fachärztlich spezialisierte ambulante Schmerzbehandlung. Das CP IV ist eine teilstationäre multimodale Therapie, bei der viele Präsenztage durch telemedizinische Inhalte mit Unterstützung einer Reha-App ersetzt werden. CP V und VI sind vollstationäre multimodale Behandlungen über acht und 15 Tage. In CP VII kann bei ambulantem psychotherapeutischen Behandlungsbedarf für Patient*innen nach vollstationärer Behandlung zur Überbrückung des Wartezeitraums über sechs Monate eine niederfrequente Psychotherapie erfolgen.

Qualitätssicherung und Evaluation

Die wissenschaftliche Begleitung erfolgt mittels ausgewählter Fragebögen und psychometrischer Testverfahren jeweils drei, sechs und zwölf Monate nach erfolgtem Assessment, um die Inhalte des Vertrags zu evaluieren.

[Psychological treatment of headache in times of COVID-19]

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially changed life worldwide in 2020. This also influences the psychological treatment options of patients with headache.

AIM

The present article intends to illustrate the different psychological forms of treatment for headache patients and their implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Literature review and case reports.

RESULTS

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological treatment enables the increased stress level in headache patients to be counteracted by using cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques. The changed living conditions are often unfavorable but sometimes also favorable in the course of disease. It can be shown that even during the pandemic, such favorable changes can be used to support patients to cope with their headache.

CONCLUSION

The digital implementation of psychological approaches makes a major contribution to maintaining psychological treatment of headache patients, so that the individually changed needs can be addressed. With respect to content, stress regulation techniques and increased acceptance gain in importance. Regarding biofeedback there are limitations, which may be overcome by improved technical devices.