A personalized approach to the treatment of chronic tension headache and comorbid mental disorders

Ashibokova K.M.; Petelin D.S.; Voskresenskaya O.N.; Volel’ B.A.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro202512502151

Ashibokova K.M.

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0009-0003-3226-9549

Petelin D.S.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0000-0002-2228-6316

Voskresenskaya O.N.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0000-0002-7330-633X

Volel’ B.A.

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University);
Mental Health Research Center

ORCID: 0000-0003-1667-5355

A personalized approach to the treatment of chronic tension headache and comorbid mental disorders

Authors:

Ashibokova K.M., Petelin D.S., Voskresenskaya O.N., Volel’ B.A.

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Journal: S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2025;125(2): 51‑57

DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202512502151

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To cite this article:

Ashibokova KM, Petelin DS, Voskresenskaya ON, Volel’ BA. A personalized approach to the treatment of chronic tension headache and comorbid mental disorders. S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. 2025;125(2):51‑57. (In Russ.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro202512502151

Подписка 2026 Журнал неврологии и психиатрии им. С.С. Корсакова (S.S. Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry)

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OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of a standard and personalized approach to the management of patients with chronic tension headache (CTH) and concomitant mental disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 97 CTH patients, randomized into two groups. Patients in Group 1 (main) (n=45) received a personalized approach, including psychiatrist consulting and psychopharmacotherapy, according to their comorbid psychopathological symptoms. The comparison group patients (n=52) received standard care with neurologist consultation and follow-up. The study protocol involved 6 months of therapy and follow-up with efficacy assessment at two points — 3 and 6 months after the start of treatment. The pain severity was assessed using VAS and McGill questionnaire. The severity of subjective pain, the patient’s focus on his disease, and the pain catastrophizing were assessed using the pain catastrophization scale (PCS). Insomnia symptoms were objectively assessed using the insomnia severity index (ISI) questionnaire. The Hamilton scale was used to assess the severity of depression.

RESULTS

A personalized approach involving a psychiatrist in the management of patients with CTH and concomitant mental disorders is significantly more effective in the short term and retains certain advantages over the standard of care six months after the start of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study indicate the need for a wider use of a personalized approach in the clinical practice for CTH patients.

Keywords:

tension headache

personalized approach

depression

pain catastrophization

sleep disorder

Authors:

Ashibokova K.M.

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0009-0003-3226-9549

Petelin D.S.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0000-0002-2228-6316

Voskresenskaya O.N.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0000-0002-7330-633X

Volel’ B.A.

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University);
Mental Health Research Center

ORCID: 0000-0003-1667-5355

Received:

12.11.2024

Accepted:

20.11.2024

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