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Diagnosis of Head Pain: An Idiographic Approach to Assessment and Classification
Author(s) -
Thompson J. Kevin
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1982.hed2205221.x
Subject(s) - nomothetic and idiographic , psychogenic disease , migraine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , classification scheme , medicine , physical therapy , psychology , computer science , psychiatry , machine learning , social psychology
SYNOPSIS The headache literature is characterized by controversy regarding theoretical explanations, pain mediating processes and treatment efficacy. The present paper reviews past assessment and classification practices within this literature. The data suggest that inadequate adherence to the iagnostic scheme originally proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Classification of Headache has resulted in major nosological errors. Thus, the literature presents a confusing array of inconsistent results and inconclusive investigations. Criteria for classification of head pain are provided and the utilization of more sophisticated assessment methodology advocated. It is hypothesized that an idiosyncratic analysis of head pain parameters will eventuate in the empirical delineation of well‐defined subgroup populations of migraine, muscle‐contraction, psychogenic, and combined headache patients.