title: Italian experience of electromyographic-biofeedback treatment of episodic common migraine: preliminary results.
abstract: Electromyographic biofeedback is commonly used successfully to treat tension-type headache, while thermal biofeedback is considered the best behavioral therapy for migraine. Ten female patients with episodic common migraine (age 20-35 years, age of disease onset 16.2 +/- 5.1 years, illness duration 13.6 +/- 10.7 years) were treated by 16 twice-weekly electromyographic biofeedback and relaxation training sessions with breathing exercises. Follow-up sessions were held 1,3,6 and 12 months after the end of treatment. A significant decrease in migraine episodes was noted after therapy. More importantly, pain episodes continued to decline up to the last follow-up 12 months later. Electromyographic activity was within the normal range throughout treatment and follow-up, and there was no relationship between electromyographic activity and pain index. It is concluded that the results, particularly after a year's follow-up, are encouraging for the use of this technique to treat migraine. However, the behavioral changes and increased well-being did not correlate with muscular tension. Control of breathing, peripheral temperature and muscle activity are probably important common factors mediating learned ability to influence sympathetic activity; it is probably the latter which leads to reduced pain in migraine patients.
authors.affiliation: Headache Center, National Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grazzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bussone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy