Biofeedback Treatment For Tension Headache

Behavioral therapies such as biofeedback are commonly used to treat migraine and tension headache. Controlling sympathetic activity is effective for controlling the pain in both disturbances. A group of 26 common migraine patients and a group of 14 tension headache patients were treated by electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BFB); blood samples were collected during the treatment (1st session; pre and post 10th session) and plasma catecholamines and cortisol measured to determine basal levels and changes induced by the behavioral therapy. The clinical efficacy of BFB treatment for tension headache and common migraine was confirmed. The basal values of the plasma stress indices were significantly different between the two groups, but did not change during treatment. The lack of correlation between the clinical improvement and the biological indices monitored indicates the need for further studies with standardized protocols in order to probe the mechanism of action of these effective behavioral therapies.

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Specific and nonspecific effects in the biofeedback treatment of tension headache: 3-Year follow-up.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology ◽

10.1037/0022-006x.51.4.634 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 634-636 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Frank Andrasik ◽

Kenneth A. Holroyd

Keyword(s):

Tension Headache ◽

Nonspecific Effects ◽

Biofeedback Treatment

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Psychological Assessment in Tension Headache Before and After Biofeedback Treatment

Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain ◽

10.1111/j.1526-4610.1988.hed2805337.x ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 337-338 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

L. Grazzi ◽

F. Frediani ◽

B. Zappacosta ◽

A. Boiardi ◽

G. Bussone

Keyword(s):

Psychological Assessment ◽

Tension Headache ◽

Before And After ◽

Biofeedback Treatment

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Biofeedback Treatment for Headaches

Biofeedback ◽

10.5298/1081-5937-45.2.02 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 34-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Inna Khazan

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Medical Practitioner ◽

Tension Headache ◽

Self Control ◽

Pharmacologic Treatment ◽

Short Term ◽

Biofeedback Treatment ◽

Tension Type Headaches

Classic medical treatment of migraine and tension-type headaches is an ongoing struggle and challenge for the medical practitioner. Pharmacologic treatment does not cure these common conditions and offers only short-term palliation. Biofeedback treatment, on its own or in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy, offers long-term encouraging results. The methodology is noninvasive, easy to apply and efficacious. Furthermore, the migraine or tension headache sufferer acquires a sense of self-control and mastery over the short term and especially over the long term. Best results are achieved with continued practice of biofeedback skills over the long term.

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