Table 2 Modules, objectives and topics of the MIPAS-Family parental training; (each session 120 min)

1. Parental group session

Module I

Learn to identify and to understand headaches and their causes

Interactive exploration with respect to the child’s headache; collecting knowledge about headaches; explanation of facts about headache (diagnoses, classification, causes, medication); introduction to stress and sensory diaries

2. Parental group session

Module II

Realizing the parental role in maintenance of headache; educational style; the role of stress coping and sensory over stimulation

Analyze a parent–child interaction video; interactive exploration of a specific stress and sensory situation for each child; first stress and sensory induction and body perception exercises; ten suggestions for reducing stress

3. Parental group session

Module III a

Introduction and practice of stress and sensory coping training (SCT) to be transferred to parental home; learning of the relaxation training (PMR) for the whole family

Performance of PMR with parents (differential and conditioned relaxation); stress coping and sensory coping training; Habituation training (“Thick-Skin-Training”; “Do-Not-Make-Me-Nervous-Training”)

4. Parental group session

Module III b

Become acquainted with medication; learning the pain coping training for home practice

Understand the safe application of medication in children; the role of negative reinforcement; practice of the ten steps of the pain coping training of the children