Original scientific paper

NEUROFEEDBACK IN TREATING MIGRAINE HEADACHE – A PILOT STUDY

MARTINA VIDOVIĆ ; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology
MARINA TITLIĆ ; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology and School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
ANA ĆURKOVIĆ KATIĆ ; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology
MARIO MIHALJ ; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology and School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
MARINO MARČIĆ ; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology
ANA REPIĆ BULIČIĆ ; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split University Hospital Centre, Department of Neurology

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to objectify therapeutic effect of neurofeedback and to treat migraine headaches in patients with migraine. Methods: We used anonymous questionnaire, structured and modified for the purpose of this study. In the end, we used two standardized tests, i.e. the test for assessment of disability in patients with migraine (MIDAS, Migraine Disability Assessment Test) and the questionnaire testing the impact of headache (HIT6, Headache Impact Test), used to measure the impact of headaches on the ability to perform tasks at work/school and in social situations. Results: Concerning the average number of headaches per month, the majority of patients (n=11) had headache 5-6 times, usually lasting for 4 to 24 hours, as reported by 16 subjects. The average headache intensity was reported as severe pain by 10 patients and strong pain by 15 patients. Age was not a statistically significant factor for disabling migraines except for school/work absenteeism. The connection was only established for work/school absenteeism due to headaches in the last three months (days), where positive values of the correlation coefficient (ro) suggested that greater work/school absenteeism in the last three months was recorded in patients with a higher level of education. After the treatment, a statistically significant difference was only found in the reduction of work/school productivity because of headaches in the last three months (days) (p=0.001). Testing the impact of neurofeedback therapy on disability due to migraine revealed a statistically significant decrease in HIT6 results, as well as in the value of all segments of the migraine impact on life, i.e. MIDAS results.

Keywords

neurofeedback; migraine; headache; pilot study

Hrčak ID:

230804

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/230804

Publication date:

5.12.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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