A recent study supported the efficacy of an intensive outpatient program designed to improve functioning and reduce psychological impairment for chronic headache sufferers. 379 patients were admitted to the 3-week interdisciplinary treatment program. Assessments of headache severity, psychological status, and functional impairment were completed by 371 (97.8%) of these at the time of admission. At discharge, 340 subjects (89.7%) provided assessment data, and 152 (40.1%) provided data at 1-year follow-up. Researchers found:

• Subjects' mean ratings on a 0-10 scale for their headache pain in the prior week declined, and these improvements were maintained at follow-up.
• Measures of functional impairment also improved following treatment, and these gains were maintained at 12-month follow up.
• As measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, anxiety and reactivity to stress decreased following treatment, and remained improved at follow-up.