Research Update

Investigators in Italy studied the effect of a six-session mindfulness-based program added to treatment as usual among patients with chronic migraine or medication overuse headache (sometimes referred to as rebound headaches, these can occur from long-term regular use of medications to treat headaches).  A total of 177 patients with chronic migraine or medication overuse headache were randomized to receive either usual treatment or a mindfulness-based intervention added to usual treatment.  The mindfulness-based intervention consisted of six group sessions of mindfulness practice and 7-10 minutes of daily self-practice. The main outcome measure was a reduction in the frequency of headache of 50% or more after 12 months.  Participants in the usual treatment plus mindfulness group were significantly more likely than those in the treatment as usual group alone to achieve a 50% or more reduction in headache frequency (78.4% vs. 48.3%; p < 0.0001).  They also had greater improvements in quality of life, headache impact, loss of productive time, medication intake, and healthcare costs.

The authors concluded that a mindfulness-based program added to treatment as usual was more effective than usual treatment alone for individuals with chronic migraine or medication overuse headache.

Grazzi L, D’Amico D, Guastafierro E, et al.  Journal of Headache & Pain. 24(1):86, 2023.