Abstract
In a previous controlled group outcome study, a comparison of temperature biofeedback with progressive relaxation indicated that relaxation training was more effective in reducing migraine headache activity at the end of treatment. However, follow-up data obtained at 1, 2, and 3 months after the completion of treatment showed no difference between the two groups on any dependent measure. In the current study, 18 of 26 subjects who completed treatment in the original investigation collected headache data and completed a headache questionnaire I year subsequent to the conclusion of treatment in order to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the two treatments. The results indicated that gains achieved in the reduction of headaches during both treatments were maintained at a 1-year follow-up. With the exception of medication consumption (for which relaxation training led to better long-term results) the 1-year follow-up data reveal no differential efficacy for temperature biofeedback or progressive relaxation in treating migraine headaches.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andreychuk, T., & Skriver, C. Hypnosis and biofeedback in the treatment of migraine headache.International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 1975,23 172–183.
Blanchard, E. B., Theobald, D. E., Williamson, D. A., Silver, B. V., & Brown, D. A. Temperature biofeedback in the treatment of migraine headaches: A controlled evaluation.Archives of General Psychiatry 1978,35 581–588.
Medina, J. L., Diamond, S., & Franklin, M. A. Biofeedback therapy for migraine.Headache 1976,16 115–118.
Mitch, P. S., McGrady, A., & Iannone, A. Autogenic feedback training in migraine: A treatment report.Headache 1976,15 267–270.
Mullinix, J. M., Norton, B. J., Hack, S., & Fishman, M. A. Skin temperature biofeedback and migraine.Headache 1978,17 242–244.
Paulley, J. W., & Haskell, D. A. L. The treatment of migraine without drugs.Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1975,19 367–374.
Philips, C. Tension headaches: Theoretical problem.Behaviour Research and Therapy 1978,16 249–261.
Reading, C., & Mohr, P. D. Biofeedback control of migraine: A pilot study.British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 1976,15 429–433.
Sargent, J. D., Green, E. E., & Walters, E. D. The use of autogenic training in a pilot study of migraine and tension headaches.Headache 1972,12 120–124.
Sargent, J. D., Green, E. E., & Walters, E. D. Preliminary report on the use of autogenic feedback techniques in the treatment of migraine and tension headaches.Psychosomatic Medicine 1973,35 129–135.
Sovack, M., Kunzel, M., Sternbach, R. A., & Dalessio, D. J. Is volitional manipulation of hemodynamics a valid rationale for biofeedback therapy of migraine?Headache 1978,18 197–202.
Turin, A., & Johnson, W. G. Biofeedback therapy for migraine headaches.Archives of General Psychiatry 1976,33 517–519.
Warner, G., & Lance, J. W. Relaxation therapy in migraine and tension headache.Medical Journal of Australia 1975,4 298–301.
Wickramasekera, I. Temperature feedback for the control of migraine.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 1973,4 343–345.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors are indebted to Virginia Weymouth and Ed Koshland for their statistical advice
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Silver, B.V., Blanchard, E.B., Williamson, D.A. et al. Temperature biofeedback and relaxation training in the treatment of migraine headaches. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 4, 359–366 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998967
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998967