Using Self-Assessment Tools and Complementary Alternative Therapy for Chronic Migraines in Menopausal Women

Author

Krystal Rachelle BridwellFollow

Campus Location

Dallas Campus (Online)

Date of Award

6-2024

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4642-2452

Document Type

DNP Project

Department

Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair or Primary Advisor

Tonya Sawyer McGee

Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor

Catherine Garner

Third Committee Member or Committee Reader

Linda Gibson

Abstract

Abstract

Migraine headaches are ranked as one of the highest disabling conditions in the United States. Women who are in the perimenopausal transition phase have a higher prevalence of disabling migraines that can result in a decreased quality of life, loss of income, decreased productivity, and a higher risk for emotional difficulties. The gap in practice is the lack of education on complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and the use of a migraine diary to recognize individual symptoms as a substitute or cotherapy with pharmacologic treatments. The purpose of this scholarly project was to improve clinical practice and outcomes for perimenopausal women who experience disabling migraines. Self-efficacy and prevention have not been well characterized in the epidemiology of the population in the past, but research has recognized the lack of education and self-awareness for further studies. The gap in practice was the lack of education on CAM and the use of a migraine diary to elicit individual symptoms as a substitute or cotherapy with pharmacologic treatments. The purpose of this scholarly project was to determine if using the Midas Screening tool and CAM therapy helped decrease migraine symptoms and increase the quality of life for the migraineur. Although not statistically significant due to the small number of participants, they did report an improvement in symptom awareness by utilizing the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) pre- and postscreening tool in addition to CAM therapy to decrease the impact of symptoms as measured by MIDAS. The replication of this study showed significant relief of migraine symptoms and improved quality of life

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Bridwell, Krystal Rachelle, "Using Self-Assessment Tools and Complementary Alternative Therapy for Chronic Migraines in Menopausal Women" (2024). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 800.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/800