Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy as Migraine Intervention: a Randomized Waitlist Controlled Trial
K. Simshäuser, R. Pohl, P. Behrens, C. Schultz, C. Lahmann, S. Schmidt
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine December 21, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-021-10044-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 54 |
| Population | Patients suffering from migraine |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 7-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Migraine-specific MBCT did not improve headache-related impairment but reduced headache frequency and improved several psychological outcomes. |
Abstract
Based on promising effects seen in a pilot study evaluating a generic mindfulness-based program for migraine, we developed a migraine-specific adaptation of the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program. The aim of this study was to evaluate this program for feasibility and effectiveness in a randomized controlled trial. Fifty-four patients suffering from migraine were randomly allocated to either waitlist or the adapted MBCT. Outcomes were migraine-related parameters as well as variables of psychological functioning and coping. Assessment took place at baseline and post-intervention, for the intervention group also at follow-up (7 months). The effects of the intervention were analyzed by the use of ANCOVAs and linear mixed models. With respect to migraine parameters we did not find a significant group difference in the primary outcome (headache-related impairment), but the intervention resulted in a significant reduction of headache frequency (p = .04). In the analysis of secondary outcomes, MBCT showed superiority in four out of eight psychological parameters (perceived stress, anxiety, rumination, catastrophizing) with small to medium effect sizes. The intervention proved to be feasible and participants reported high degrees of contentment and achievement of personal goals. The migraine-specific MBCT program did not result in improvements with regard to headache-related impairment but showed a reduction in headache frequency as well as improved psychological functioning in secondary outcomes. This trial was registered in the German Trial Registry “Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien” (ID: DRKS00007477), which is a WHO-listed primary trial register.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- [Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for individuals with chronic headaches]. Orvosi hetilap December 1, 2024
- Treatment for Migraine and Mood (TEAM-M) study: Protocol for a three-arm multi-site randomized controlled feasibility trial comparing an abbreviated version of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy delivered via telephone or videoconferencing to enhanced usual care (Preprint) February 16, 2026
- Evaluating an Abbreviated Version of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Delivered via Telephone or Videoconferencing Compared to Enhanced Usual Care—Treatment for Migraine and Mood (TEAM-M) Study: Protocol for a Three-Arm Multisite Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial JMIR Research Protocols June 12, 2026
- Part Of the Process, or Adverse Event? Considering the Benefits and Potential Risks of Mindfulness-based Interventions for Migraine. Current Pain and Headache Reports September 16, 2025
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on rumination and related psychological indicators: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychology August 26, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 9
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Body Awareness in Patients with Chronic Pain and Comorbid Depression Frontiers in Psychology June 30, 2016
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for treating chronic headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis Cephalalgia June 4, 2018
- Mindfulness in migraine: A narrative review Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics January 14, 2020
- Enhanced mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR+) in episodic migraine: a randomized clinical trial with MRI outcomes Pain March 13, 2020
and 4 more in the library