Behavioural Neurology (Jan 2022)

Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Headache Impact, Anxiety, and Physical Activity Levels in Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache: An Observational Study

  • Ángel González de la Flor,
  • Guillermo García Pérez de Sevilla,
  • Diego Domíngez Balmaseda,
  • Daniel Martín Vera,
  • María Montero Martínez,
  • Jose Ángel Del Blanco Muñiz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8387249
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2022

Abstract

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Background. Chronic tension-type headache is the primary headache with the highest prevalence. The present study is aimed at analyzing the associations between patient self-efficacy and headache impact with pain characteristics, kinesiophobia, anxiety sensitivity, and physical activity levels in subjects with chronic tension-type headache. Materials and Methods. An observational descriptive study was carried out. A total sample of 42 participants was recruited at university environment with diagnosis of tension-type headache. Headache characteristics (frequency, intensity, and duration), physical activity levels, pain related-self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, anxiety sensitivity, and headache impact were measured. Results. The HIT-6 (61.05±6.38) score showed significant moderate positive correlations with the ASI-3 score (17.64±16.22; r=0.47) and moderate negative correlations with the self-efficacy in the domains of pain management (31.9±10.28; r=−0.43) and coping with symptoms (53.81±14.19; r=−0.47). ASI-3 score had a negative large correlation with self-efficacy in the domains of pain management (r=−0.59), physical function (53.36±7.99; r=−0.55), and coping with symptoms (r=−0.68). Physical activity levels showed positive moderate correlations with the self-efficacy in the domain of physical function (r=0.41). Linear regression models determined that the self-efficacy and anxiety sensitivity with showed a significant relationship with the HIT-6 score (R2=0.262;p=0.008) and with the ASI-3 score (R2=0.565; p<0.001). In addition, no correlations were found between pain intensity, duration or frecuency with psychosocial factors, or headache impact. Conclusions. The present study showed that patients with chronic tension-type headache had a great negative impact on daily tasks and physical activity levels, which were associated with higher anxiety levels and lower self-efficacy.