Therapy plus medication versus therapy alone for childhood migraines

This study is testing whether combining cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of talk therapy that teaches pain management skills) with a daily medication called amitriptyline works better than therapy alone for preventing childhood migraines. About 400 children and teens with frequent migraines will participate. Some will receive both therapy and the medication, while others will receive therapy only.

Migraines are a leading cause of disability in young people, and millions of children in the United States suffer from them. Most current research has focused on treating migraines in adults, so doctors need better ways to prevent migraines in children before the condition becomes a lifelong problem.