Exploration of the Type A Behavior Pattern in Chronic Headache Sufferers

Several recent studies have indicated a relation between the Type A behavior pattern (TABP) and headache occurrence. Researchers have also noted descriptive similarities between Type A characteristics and characteristics associated with the "migraine personality." To date, no prospective study has examined whether the characteristics ascribed to migraine sufferers in fact comprise the TABP. Sixty participants (30 migraine, 30 tension headache) provided full headache histories, completed the Jenkins Activity Survey, and were diagnosed according to Ad Hoc Committee on Classification of Headache criteria. Approximately 53% of migraine participants were classified as Type A compared with only 23% of tension headache participants, and this difference was statistically significant.