Research
The Headache Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is active conducting research. Current projects include:
- Characterization of headache disorders in children and adolescents
- Characterization and treatment of chronic daily headaches and chronic migraines in children
- Determine the disability due to headaches and migraines in children and adolescents
- Development of a migraine disability tool for children and adolescents
- PedMIDAS, a tool used to assess the impact of migraines on children's day-to-day activities
- Impact on the quality of life in children with recurrent headaches
- Effectiveness of multiple pharmaceuticals in preventing and aborting migraine headaches
- Evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary treatment
- One-, two- and five-year follow-up assessment of Headache Center effectiveness
- Investigate the underlying pathophysiology of migraines in children and adolescents
- Analysis of genetic effects of migraines in children
- Evaluate emergency department and inpatient management
PedMIDAS
PedMIDAS is a tool used to assess the impact of migraines in children and adolescents, as well as monitor treatment outcomes. It's administered to patients attending the Headache Center at Cincinnati Children's.
| Treatment Outcome |
| The impact of headaches on school, social and family activities is significantly reduced over time with treatment. |
At the initial visit, children and their parents are provided with a detailed questionnaire describing their headache features and general health. The questionnaire is comprised of six developmentally appropriate questions established by a multidisciplinary team of pediatric headache specialists. These questions emphasize the impact of partial days of school lost and reduction in socialization and sports-related activities.
A shortened questionnaire is given at all follow-up visits. This information is then entered into a comprehensive database.
