pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Different Meditation Types on Migraine Headache Medication Use - PubMed

Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of Different Meditation Types on Migraine Headache Medication Use

Amy B Wachholtz et al. Behav Med. 2017 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Spiritual meditation has been found to reduce the frequency of migraines and physiological reactivity to stress. However, little is known about how introducing a spirituality component into a meditation intervention impacts analgesic medication usage. In this study, 92 meditation-naïve participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) Spiritual Meditation, (n = 25), (2) Internally Focused Secular Meditation (n = 23), (3) Externally Focused Secular Meditation (n = 22), or (4) Progressive Muscle Relaxation (n = 22); and practiced their technique for 20 min/day over 30 days while completing daily diaries. Headache frequency, headache severity, and pain medication use were assessed. Migraine frequency decreased in the Spiritual Meditation group compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Headache severity ratings did not differ across groups (p = ns). After adjusting for headache frequency, migraine medication usage decreased in the Spiritual Meditation group compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Spiritual Meditation was found to not affect pain sensitivity, but it does improve pain tolerance with reduced headache related analgesic medication usage.

Keywords: medication; meditation; migraine; pain; spirituality.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Amy Wachholtz, Christopher Malone, and Kenneth Pargament declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1

Participant Flow Diagram

Figure 2
Figure 2

Migraine medication consumption after adjustment for headache frequency

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Headache Classification Committee of The International Headache Society. The international classification of headache disorders, 2nd edition. Cephalalgia. 2004;24(Suppl 1):1–160. - PubMed
    1. Bigal M, Lipton R. The epidemiology, burden, and comorbidities of migraine. Neurol Clin. 2005;27(2):321–334. - PubMed
    1. Stewart W, Wood G, Razzaghi H. Work impact of migraine headaches. JOEM. 2008;50(7):736–745. - PubMed
    1. DeMaagd G. The phamacological management of migraine, part 1. P T. 2008;33(7):404–416. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Pesaturo KA, Wooding FG. Modern management of the migraine headache. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2009;3(2):147–159.

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources