Mindfulness in migraine: A narrative review
Rebecca Erwin Wells, Elizabeth K. Seng, Robert R Edwards, David Victorson, Charles R. Pierce, Lauren Rosenberg, Vitaly Napadow, Zev Schuman-Olivier
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics January 14, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1715212 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychotherapist Psychological intervention Clinical psychology Migraine treatment Cognition |
| Citations | 74 |
| Key findings | Initial evidence suggests mindfulness-based interventions may improve headache-related disability and psychological well-being in migraine patients, though most studies are small pilot trials. |
Abstract
Introduction: Migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, yet many patients are unable to tolerate, benefit from, or afford pharmacological treatment options. Non-pharmacological migraine therapies exist, especially to reduce opioid use, which represents a significant unmet need. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have potential as a non-pharmacological treatment for migraine, primarily through the development of flexible attentional capacity across sensory, cognitive, and emotional experiences.Areas covered: The authors review efficacy and potential mechanisms of MBIs for migraine, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).Expert opinion: While most mindfulness research studies for migraine to date have been pilot trials, which are small and/or lacked rigor, initial evidence suggests there may be improvements in overall headache-related disability and psychological well-being. Many research questions remain to help target the treatment to patients most likely to benefit, including the ideal dosage, duration, delivery method, responder characteristics, and potential mechanisms and biomarkers. A realistic understanding of these factors is important for patients, providers, and the media. Mindfulness will not ‘cure’ migraine; however, mindfulness may be an important tool as part of a comprehensive treatment approach to help patients ‘mindfully’ engage in valued life activities.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- Longitudinal neurofunctional changes in medication overuse headache patients after mindfulness practice in a randomized controlled trial (the MIND-CM study). The Journal of Headache and Pain June 11, 2024
- Intensive Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Frequency and Burden of Migraine: An Unblinded Single-Arm Trial. Mindfulness February 1, 2023
- Meditation Practice, Mindfulness, and Pain-Related Outcomes in Mindfulness-Based Treatment for Episodic Migraine. Mindfulness April 1, 2023
- Neurotransmitter-related functional connectivity changes in serotonin and dopamine systems after mindfulness in medication overuse headache. Cephalalgia June 1, 2025
- [Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for individuals with chronic headaches]. Orvosi hetilap December 1, 2024
and 14 more in the library
Cites 62
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
and 57 more in the library