Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Anne Haskins

Abstract

One in ten individuals in the world experience migraines (Amari et al., 2022). Migraines are a debilitating condition that presents with symptoms of intense head pain, aura, and nausea (American Migraine Foundation, 2018; Mayo Clinic, 2023). These symptoms have a global effect on an individual’s life and affect the meaningful and necessary tasks they do each day including work, school, family and social life, and their emotional health and cognitive functioning (Buse et al., 2019; Estave et al., 2021). Occupational therapy (OT) can be used with individuals with migraine by addressing factors such as routines, migraine self-management, cognitive strategies, and environmental management to help manage or reduce the effects of migraines (Association of Migraine Disorders, n.d.-a; Chabot & Sanchez, 2020; Occupational Therapy Australia, 2016; Pyatak et al., 2022; Sahai-Srivastava et al., 2017). Although there are a variety of interventions occupational therapists can recommend with individuals with migraine, there is a lack of OT developed standards of care, and occupational therapists on the teams working with individuals with migraines (Sahai-Srivastava et al., 2017).

Project Description: After completing an in-depth literature review, needs assessment, meeting with practitioners and individuals with migraine, and applying models of practice, a product was designed to meet the needs of individuals with migraines and the team with which they work. The main need identified was a product that could be used for self-directed learning or as a small part of a session. A booklet was then created to be given to individuals with migraines or for use by the interdisciplinary team. Topics included were selected with the individuals with migraines’ needs in mind and were based on the principles of the Model of Human Occupation and Ecology of Human Performance.

Discussion: While OT has a variety of interventions for the management or reduction of the effects of migraine, OT services have been limited as part of the interdisciplinary team. It is expected that OT services will expand, and that OT will be recognized as a part of the migraine management interdisciplinary team. This product will contribute to furthering the awareness and significance of OT services in this field. Plans for future study include research to contribute to current literature, expanding services to multiple practice settings, and providing specialized services for individuals with migraines.

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