Anyone who has suffered from recurring migraines knows that although relief is desperately needed, it can be hard to find. But there is good news for frequent migraine sufferers; Ohio University researchers have found the method that seems to offer the most significant amount of relief from persistent migraines - a combination therapy of preventive medicine and behavioral changes.
The study included 232 participants and collected daily data for 16 months. Participants had to experience at least three debilitating migraines per 30 days to qualify for the study. One group received combination therapy, another received only the medication, and another received only behavioral therapy. The combination therapy group showed, by far, the most improvement; 77 percent experienced significant migraine relief.
The behavioral aspect of the combination therapy included learning how to identify migraine triggers and early signs of an impending attack along with learning relaxation techniques, muscle stretching exercises to prevent or stop migraines, and stress management skills. Participants also wrote migraine management plans.
“Frequent disabling migraines may be bad for the brain. Effectively controlling this disorder may have long-term benefits in addition to the immediate benefits of reducing pain and improving quality of life,” said lead researcher and author, Kenneth Holroyd. And the consistent use of preventive medicine and behavioral therapy combined proved to be the best way to do so, Holroyd said.
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