Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Relieving Migraine Headaches

Abstract

Background: The world health organization has ranked migraine among top 20 disabling diseases. The major adverse effects of migraine headaches on patients and society are an important public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on reducing the impact of migraine headaches on women. Method(s): In the current study, a quasi-experimental design was applied. In this semi-experimental study, 26 women with migraine were selected via available sampling and were randomly placed into experimental (n, 13) and control (n, 13) groups. All 26 patients were asked to record their experience of headache attacks in terms of frequency, intensity, and duration for 1 month in a headache diary. Subsequently, the experimental group participated in 8 sessions of MBCT (2-hour sessions). Result(s): The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated a significant decline in the mean headache frequency (P < 0.001), duration (P < 0.001), and severity (P < 0.001) in the experimental group. Conclusion(s): This trial empirically examined the efficacy of MBCT in the treatment of migraine headaches and showed that MBCT is effective in treating or alleviating migraine headaches. This study could provide a psychological approach for the future treatment of chronic pain to avoid relying on medications alone.Copyright © 2017, Archives of Neuroscience.