Aerobic exercise with relaxation: influence on pain and psychological well-being in female migraine patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this pilot study was to address the influence of an aerobic exercise program combined with relaxation on pain and psychological variables in migraine patients.


METHODS
Controlled, randomised design with half of the group receiving an intervention (aerobic exercise group) in addition to standard medical care received by all patients. SETTING/PATIENTS/OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Thirty female migraine outpatients completed a range of psychological questionnaires measuring sensational and affective dimensions of pain, body image, depression, and quality of life.


METHODS
The aerobic exercise group (n = 15) participated in a 6-week, twice-weekly, indoor exercise program (45 minutes of gymnastics with music and 15 minutes of progressive muscle relaxation).


CONCLUSIONS
The program led to a significant reduction of self-rated migraine pain intensity. Although there was an improvement in depression-related symptoms within the aerobic exercise group, no significant differences in psychological variables between groups were found.
Dittrich
Sara Maria
SM
Center of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Department of General and Social Psychiatry, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Günther
Verena
V
Franz
Gerhard
G
Burtscher
Martin
M
Holzner
Bernhard
B
Kopp
Martin
M
D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome