Emerging behavioral treatments for migraine.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based interventions for improving outcomes in migraine patients, particularly in reducing headache-related disability and affective distress.
Results Summary
ACT and mindfulness interventions showed promise in improving functioning and reducing headache-related disability and affective distress in migraine patients, though efficacy is limited by small trials, short follow-up periods, and a need for comparison with established treatments.
Population
Migraine patients, particularly those with chronic pain and common comorbidities.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
behavioral interventions for migraine (e.g., relaxation training, stress management, cognitive-behavioral therapy, biofeedback) | no change | migraine | - | - | efficacy is well established | #1 |
acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) | no change | chronic pain | - | - | demonstrated efficacy | #2 |
mindfulness interventions | no change | chronic pain | - | - | demonstrated efficacy | #3 |
emerging behavioral therapies | increase | outcomes of migraine patients | migraine patients | - | show considerable promise for improving outcomes | #4 |
emerging behavioral therapies | decrease | headache-related disability | migraine patients | - | reducing | #5 |
emerging behavioral therapies | decrease | affective distress | migraine patients | - | reducing | #6 |
Although the efficacy of behavioral interventions for migraine (e.g., relaxation training, stress management, cognitive-behavioral therapy, biofeedback) is well established, other behavioral interventions that have shown efficacy for other conditions are being adapted to treat migraine. This paper reviews the literature to date on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based interventions, and behavioral interventions for common migraine comorbidities. ACT and mindfulness interventions prioritize the outcome of improved functioning above headache reduction and have demonstrated efficacy for chronic pain broadly. These emerging behavioral therapies show considerable promise for improving outcomes of migraine patients, particularly in reducing headache-related disability and affective distress, but efficacy to date is limited by small trials, short follow-up periods, and a need for comparison or integration with established pharmacologic and behavioral migraine treatments.