Long-term efficacy of combined relaxation: biofeedback treatments for chronic headache.

Abstract

Thirty-four patients having chronic idiopathic headaches participated in a long-term study comparing autogenic relaxation training alone (REL) with combinations of relaxation and electromyographic biofeedback (REL + EMG) or relaxation and temperature biofeedback (REL + TEMP). Assignment to treatment conditions was balanced on demographics and clinical characteristics, as well as headache classification according to muscle contraction or vascular headache symptomatology. The results indicate that REL + TEMP produced no additional improvements over REL following the 8-week treatment program, or at 6-month, or 12-month follow-up. However, REL + EMG produced significantly greater reductions in headache activity measures than the REL and REL + TEMP conditions at all post-treatment time points. Headache activity continued to improve over the follow-up period independent of treatment condition. These data indicate that EMG biofeedback augments long-term clinical improvements in headache patients who undergo autogenic relaxation training.

• Authors: Arthur Cott, William Parkinson, Marion Fabich, Michel Bédard, Richard Marlin
• Journal: Pain (Pain) Vol. 51 Issue 1 Pg. 49-56 (Oct 1992) ISSN: 0304-3959 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1454404 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Biofeedback, Psychology
• Body Temperature (physiology)
• Electromyography
• Female
• Headache (physiopathology, psychology, therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Relaxation Therapy