The effectiveness of mindfulness as a complementary therapy in headache patients: a preliminary interventional study
Confinia Cephalalgica December 16, 2025 Emanuela Principe, Melissa Pirrotta, Nicola Fava et al.
A mindfulness-based stress reduction program for people with chronic headache and medication overuse reduced anxiety and depression, increased mindfulness, and improved quality of life. Fourteen participants completed eight weekly sessions of the MBSR protocol. Before and after the intervention, they filled out questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, mindful awareness, and health-related quality of life. Scores showed significant improvements in all areas. The program helped manage both physical pain and emotional distress, suggesting it can be a useful part of multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment.