The effectiveness of mindfulness as a complementary therapy in headache patients: a preliminary interventional study
Emanuela Principe, Melissa Pirrotta, Nicola Fava, Carmen Marchio, Laura Catalano, Rosario Iannacchero, Domenico Bosco
Confinia Cephalalgica December 16, 2025 DOI: 10.4081/cc.2025.15788 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Patients suffering from chronic migraine with medication overuse headache (MOH) and tension-type headache associated with analgesic abuse |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program |
| Duration | Eight weekly sessions |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Intervention counseling Mindfulness-based stress reduction Chronic pain Depression economics Guided imagery Clinical psychology Migraine Physical therapy Openness to experience Protocol science Psychological intervention Stress management Perceived stress scale Mental health |
| Key points | The MBSR protocol resulted in significant reductions in anxiety and depression, increased mindfulness, and improved perceived quality of life in patients with chronic headache-related pain. |
Abstract
Background: Recent studies have highlighted that mindfulness-based therapies, particularly the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, can help foster greater awareness and improve the management of stress and chronic pain. Mindfulness is defined as a form of awareness that is intentionally cultivated in the present moment, characterized by an attitude of openness and non-judgment. Numerous studies have shown that the MBSR program can have positive effects on psychophysical adaptation in individuals suffering from various clinical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, sleep disorders, migraine, anxiety, and depression.
Methods: The study included 14 participants suffering from chronic migraine with medication overuse headache (MOH) and tension-type headache associated with analgesic abuse. Each participant completed the MBSR protocol, consisting of eight weekly sessions. The intervention was accompanied by pre- and post-treatment assessments using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. Data collected at the two observation points, before (T0) and after (T1) the intervention, were subsequently analyzed to identify any statistically significant differences in scores.
Results: The application of the MBSR protocol resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety and depression levels, a notable increase in mindfulness propensity, and a significant improvement in perceived quality of life.
Conclusions: The study results confirm the effectiveness of the MBSR protocol in reducing anxiety and depression, enhancing mindfulness awareness, and improving the quality of life in patients with chronic headache-related pain. The intervention proved useful not only in managing physical pain but also in providing psychological support, thereby helping to alleviate emotional and psychosocial distress. The data suggest that MBSR can be effectively integrated into a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain treatment, promoting overall well-being.