TITUSVILLE, N.J., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A new educational program, "Mind Over Migraine," is designed to help people with frequent or severe migraine take control over their migraine attacks. The program directly addresses recent survey findings indicating that nearly 85 percent of people with migraine expressed concern that they will have to live with the condition for the rest of their lives.
"Migraine disrupts my patients' personal and professional lives. It interferes with their plans, their goals and sometimes even their relationships," explained Elizabeth W. Loder, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School. "The 'Mind Over Migraine' program helps people realize they have the power to take control and prevent their migraine attacks instead of letting migraine control them."
Controlling migraine attacks is a major concern for nearly 60 percent of individuals who experience frequent or severe migraines (meaning that they experience migraine attacks two to 14 days each month), according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R) among patients who experienced "very" or "extremely" severe migraine attacks, on behalf of the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) and Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc.
The survey also found:
-- Migraine sufferers who are employed missed one day of work every three
months because of migraine.
-- A migraine attack disrupted individuals' lives for an average of 19
hours.
-- Almost half of migraine patients report that migraine greatly affects
their ability to drive a car (45 percent), travel (43 percent),
interact with family and friends (42 percent) and make or keep plans
(42 percent).
-- Nearly two thirds (62 percent) reported that migraine greatly affects
their ability to participate in exercise or sports activities, while 52
percent said their social or recreational activities are limited.
"Mind Over Migraine"
Sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, "Mind Over Migraine" provides practical tools and resources designed to help people with migraine reach their goals of leading a healthy lifestyle, including a life with fewer migraine attacks. In addition, the "Mind Over Migraine" Web site, http://www.mindovermigraine.com/, contains a range of information that can help people better communicate with their doctors to make the most of their treatment, plus advice from Dr. Loder and patient testimonials. An educational booklet is available on the Web site or by calling 1-800-617-1144.
"By working with my physician, I found that medication and changes in my lifestyle helped reduce my migraine attacks," said Shannon Lenihan, who has experienced migraine attacks for more than 20 years and is featured in the educational booklet.
It is important for people with migraine to talk to their doctors about treatment options that are right for them. The survey found that when people who experience migraine attacks talked to physicians about their condition, 60 percent of doctors did not discuss the availability of medications that can be taken to prevent migraines before they start. In addition, fewer than half of doctors asked migraine patients about the impact their condition has on their everyday lives.
Learning about migraine prevention poses a challenge: -- Approximately 85 percent of respondents incorrectly defined migraine prevention as taking a medication at the onset of an attack to treat migraine pain or avoiding foods or situations that can trigger a migraine. -- Almost 70 percent indicated that reducing their migraine attacks by half would be "very" or "completely" meaningful.
According to the survey, the vast majority of respondents (85%) were interested in learning more about migraine prevention medicines.
"The 'Mind Over Migraine' program can really help patients who feel frustrated that their current treatment program is not working for them," Dr. Loder said. "When patients clearly communicate the effect that migraine is having on their lives, healthcare professionals can formulate better treatment plans, which may include a preventive medication, along with reasonable lifestyle changes."
By increasing patients' awareness of resources and the availability of preventive medications, "Mind Over Migraine" aims to help patients gain greater control over their lives.
Migraine
Migraine is a chronic, debilitating condition characterized by sharp throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea or vomiting, visual disturbances and/or sensitivity to noise and light. Approximately 14 million adult Americans suffer from frequent or severe migraine attacks.
People with migraine have two treatment options available: acute medications, which are taken at the onset of an attack to treat the pain of a migraine, or preventive medications, which are taken daily to help prevent migraines before they have a chance to start, so individuals can get fewer of them.
Studies have shown that migraine can be a progressive condition that gets worse over time. For many individuals, preventing the attack in the first place may be the best treatment option. The goals of migraine prevention are to:
-- Reduce frequency, severity and duration of migraine attacks -- Improve responsiveness to acute medications -- Improve patient function and reduce disability.
Headquartered in Titusville, N.J., Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., focuses exclusively on providing solutions that improve neurological health. The company currently markets products for Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and acute and preventive migraine treatment. Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, in conjunction with internal and external research partners, continues to explore new opportunities to develop solutions for unmet medical needs in neurology.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online in November 2004 by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) and Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. The survey was conducted among 1014 U.S. adults age 18 and over, 763 of whom were diagnosed with "very" or "extremely" severe migraine and suffer two to 14 days a month; 251 were not formally diagnosed with migraine, but have experienced at least two common migraine symptoms such as nausea, light/sound sensitivity or limited activities at least one day in the past three months.
The sample was weighted to be representative of the severe/frequent migraine sufferer population using standard rim weighting techniques and variables for age, gender, race, and diagnosed/non-diagnosed to bring these variables into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
Contact: Kassy McGourty Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. 609-730-2624 Debbie Harvey GolinHarris 312-729-4374
Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc.Contact: Kassy McGourty of Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc.,+1-609-730-2624; or Debbie Harvey of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4374