Biofeedback alleviates chronic daily headache more effectively than medication

VernacularTitle:生物反馈疗法预防慢性每日头痛患者头痛发作的效果
Author: Jie LI ; Kuiyun WANG ; Chun WANG ; Xingyang YI ; Ping LIU ; Yong XIE ; Shu LUO ; Min LIU ; Biao ZHANG
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Headache; Medication; Biofeedback
From: Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2016;38(7):525-529
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of biofeedback in preventing chronic daily headaches. Methods One hundred patients experiencing daily headaches were randomly divided into a biofeedback group ( n=50) and a drug therapy group (n=50). The patients in the drug therapy groupwere administered a predetermined course of medication. Those in the biofeedback group were given 30 minutes of biofeedback therapy twice a week for 8 weeks, followed by 10 months of intensive therapy once a month. The headache frequency, duration of headache at-tacks, days of using acute pain medication and any other adverse events were recorded 3, 6 and 12 months after the treatment. Results The patients in the biofeedback group had significantly less-frequent headaches, shorter headache attacks and fewer days of using acute pain medications. Conclusion Compared to drug therapy, biofeed-back can prevent chronic daily headachesmore safely and effectively.