Mindfulness and headache: A “new” old treatment, with new findings

Author:

Andrasik Frank1,Grazzi Licia2,D'Amico Domenico2,Sansone Emanuela3,Leonardi Matilde3,Raggi Alberto3,Salgado-García Francisco1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA

2. Headache and Neuroalgology Unit, Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Italy

3. Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Italy

Abstract

Background Mindfulness refers to a host of procedures that have been practiced for centuries, but only recently have begun to be applied to varied pain conditions, with the most recent being headache. Methods We reviewed research that incorporated components of mindfulness for treating pain, with a more in depth focus on headache disorders. We also examined literature that has closely studied potential physiological processes in the brain that might mediate the effects of mindfulness. We report as well preliminary findings of our ongoing trial comparing mindfulness alone to pharmacological treatment alone for treating chronic migraine accompanied by medication overuse. Results Although research remains in its infancy, the initial findings support the utility of varied mindfulness approaches for enhancing usual care for headache management. Our preliminary findings suggest mindfulness by itself may produce effects comparable to that of medication alone for patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse. Conclusions Much work remains to more fully document the role and long term value of mindfulness for specific headache types. Areas in need of further investigation are discussed.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Neurology (clinical),General Medicine

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3