Mindfulness and Chronic Headache/Migraine

In a sample of 217 adults with self-reported chronic headache or migraine, higher mindfulness was associated with lower negative affect, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, pain hypervigilance, and headache duration, but not with headache pain intensity or frequency. Mindfulness remained a significant predictor of negative affect and pain hypervigilance even after accounting for other factors. The findings suggest that mindfulness may play a role in the Fear-Avoidance Model of chronic pain for this population.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objectives: To replicate a study by Schutze and colleagues on a headache sample, rather than a heterogenous chronic pain sample, investigating whether level of mindfulness predicts key components in the Fear-Avoidance Model of chronic pain (pain intensity, negative affect, pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear, pain hypervigilance, and functional disability); to investigate the relationships between level of mindfulness and headache/migraine pain intensity, frequency, and duration. Materials and Methods: Participants were 217 individuals who self-reported chronic headache/migraine (51 male, 166 female), aged between 18 and 65 years. Participants completed an online survey measuring demographics, mindfulness, the key components of the Fear-Avoidance Model, and headache pain intensity, duration, and frequency. Results: Mindfulness had significant negative correlations (P<0.05) with all variables except headache pain intensity and headache frequency. Mindfulness significantly predicted negative affect, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, pain hypervigilance, and headache duration (P<0.05). Mindfulness remained a significant predictor of negative affect and pain hypervigilance after controlling for other key components and background characteristics (P<0.05). Mindfulness did not moderate the relationship between pain intensity and pain catastrophizing (P=0.204). Discussion: Findings suggest that mindfulness may be integrated into the Fear-Avoidance Model of chronic pain for individuals with chronic headache/migraine. Directions for future research are discussed.