Biofeedback assisted diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation versus propranolol in long term prophylaxis of migraine.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate utility of biofeedback assisted diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation in migraine and to compare their efficacy with propranolol in long term prophylaxis of migraine.


METHODS
192 migraine patients were randomly distributed into two groups. Propranolol group received propranolol 80 mg/day while biofeedback group received electromyogram (EMG) and temperature biofeedback assisted diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation training accompanied by home practice for 6 months.


RESULTS
Significant clinical response was seen with biofeedback in 66.66% and with propranolol in 64.58% of patients. Frequency, severity, duration of attacks and number of vomiting episodes were significantly reduced in both the groups at 6 months but inter-group differences were statistically insignificant. During 1 year post-treatment period, significantly lesser resurgence of migraine was seen in biofeedback group as whole (9.37%) and in biofeedback responders in biofeedback group (9.37%) in comparison to resurgence of migraine in propranolol group as whole (38.54%) and in propranolol responders in propranolol group (53.22%) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Biofeedback assisted diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation were very useful in migraine and had significantly better long-term prophylactic effect than propranolol in migraine.
Kaushik
Reshma
R
Department of Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Nagar, Dehradun 248140, Uttaranchal, India. rmkaushik1@rediffmail.com
Kaushik
Rajeev Mohan
RM
Mahajan
Sukhdev Krishan
SK
Rajesh
Vemreddi
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies / Q000379:methods; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D011433:Propranolol