Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of combined Western and Oriental medicine headache massage program for chronic headache patients.
METHODS
This study was designed using the Nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The forty nine patients were divided into an experimental group (25 patients) and a control group (24 patients). Collected data were analyzed by Chi-test, t-test, Fisher's exact test, Repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 14.0 program.
RESULTS
After treatment in this program, the experimental group had no significan difference in scores for headache intensity and frequency as the length of time in treatment increased compared to the control group. But there were significant decreases in the use of medication (F=4.209, p=.046) and disturbances in the quality of life related to headaches (F=13.097, p=.001) after providing the combined Western-Oriental massage program.
CONCLUSION
This program could have a positive effect on using medication for pain controllers and headache related quality of life. Based on the results of this study, further research focusing on the effectiveness of unique nursing intervention for chronic headache patients is suggested.