Psychiatric Rehabilitation In Prophylaxis Of Migraine – A Systematic Review.

Authors

  • M.Arun
  • R. Saravanan
  • R. Balaji
  • S Parthasarathy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i1.135

Keywords:

Migraine, psychological, behavioural therapy, psychiatric Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Migraine affects approximately 15% of the global population, resulting in significant disability and decreased quality of life. Traditional pharmacological treatments, while effective, often overlook the psychosocial dimensions of the disorder. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of psychiatric rehabilitation techniques, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), in migraine prophylaxis.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across electronic databases, including PubMed and Cochrane Library, from January 2000 to January 2025. Studies included were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies focusing on adults diagnosed with migraines undergoing CBT or MBSR, with outcomes measuring migraine frequency and severity, as well as psychological symptoms.
Results: A total of 15 studies (1,200 participants) were included. CBT demonstrated a significant effect size (Cohen's d = 0.65) in reducing migraine frequency and improving quality of life, alongside benefits in co-morbid psychological symptoms. MBSR also achieved a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = 0.52) for decreasing migraine frequency and enhancing emotional regulation. Multimodal approaches combining CBT with physical therapy showed additional benefits in migraine management.
Conclusions: This review supports the integration of psychiatric rehabilitation techniques into comprehensive migraine management plans, acknowledging their role in improving both headache-related and psychological outcomes. More high-quality, multicenter randomized trials are needed to validate these findings and enhance treatment protocols for migraine sufferers.

Author Biographies

M.Arun

Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical college and research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (deemed to be university), Pondicherry, India.

R. Saravanan

Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical college and research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (deemed to be university), Pondicherry, India.  

R. Balaji

Assistant Professor, Institute of Salutogenesis and Complementary Medicine, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University), Puducherry, India

S Parthasarathy

Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical college and research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (deemed to be university), Pondicherry, India. 

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Published

2025-04-11