Treatment of migraine: How effective is biofeedback assisted relaxation training?

ABSTRACT

Behavioral interventions such as relaxation training and biofeedback are some of the most effective interventions for management of migraine headaches. In this study we evaluated the utility of biofeedback-assisted progressive muscle relaxation training [PRT] in the treatment of migraine. In this prospective study, twenty patients [12-18 years old] with a confirmed diagnosis of migraine headache, admitted to the Talie counseling center between March 2005 and December 2005, were evaluated; they were randomly assigned into an experimental group receiving biofeedback-assisted PRT and a control group in waiting list. All patients recorded the intensity of the headache and its frequency and duration before and 12 weeks after the treatment. The data was analyzed using Independent sample t-test for mean differences. In the biofeedback-assisted progressive muscle relaxation trained group, a statistically and clinically significant decrease was detected in intensity [p<0.001; mean difference 31.7; SD=1.86], frequency [mean difference = 4.4; SD = 1.58], and duration [mean difference 3.55; SD=1.32] of headaches. It can be concluded that biofeedback-assisted progressive muscle relaxation training is a successful form of therapy in treatment of migraine