Biofeedback, self-control and tension headache.

This research tested the belief that muscle contractions are a primary source of tension headache. EMG level was found to be associated with both headache-specific and more global symptoms following biofeedback training. However, the level of pretreatment relationship between EMG level and headache symptoms was weak, and the amount of reduction in EMG activity over the course of biofeedback did not explain improvement. In addition, although the voluntary control over muscle spasming evidence by lowered EMG readings appeared to enhance patients' post-treatment level of self-control, this cognitive process variable also could not account for outcome variance. The results offer limited support for the muscle-origins conception of tension headache and suggest the need for further research to clarify the contribution of physiological, cognitive and social factors to pain reduction.