New migraine study has showed that meditation can provide relief to those who suffer from migraines. The study experienced with a form of yoga meditation called mindfulness-based stress reduction and it is meant for adults with migraines.
The new migraine study involved 19 participants our of which 10 attended for eight weeks the yoga courses learning the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) technique while the other nine received standard migraine medical care.
The attendants were instructed to practice for 45 minutes on their own at least five more days per week. The participants were evaluated before and after the trial period to measure the disabilities, self-efficacy and mindfulness. The scientists also kept headache logs to observe the frequency, duration and severity of the migraines.
Rebecca Erwin Wells, assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest Baptist stated that:
“Stress is a well-known trigger for headaches and research supports the general benefits of mind/body interventions for migraines, but there hasn’t been much research to evaluate specific standardized meditation interventions. We found that the MBSR participants had trends of fewer migraines that were less severe.”
Wells added that:
“Secondary effects included headaches that were shorter in duration and less disabling, and participants had increases in mindfulness and self-efficacy – a sense of personal control over their migraines. In addition, there were no adverse events and excellent adherence.”
The patients who practiced the new form of mediation had 1.4 fewer migraines per month and were less severe. Based on the new migraine study, scientists concluded that the MBSR is safe and feasible therapy for adults who suffer from chronic headaches.
This sounds like very good news for those who suffer from migraines and we will keep you updated in case any follow up is announced. If you have anything to add you can do that in the comment section below.