Hypnotherapy or transcendental meditation versus progressive muscle relaxation exercises in the treatment of children with primary headaches: a multi-centre, pragmatic, randomised clinical study.
M C Jong, I Boers, H A Van Wietmarschen, E Tromp, J O Busari, R Wennekes, I Snoeck, J Bekhof, A M Vlieger
European Journal of Pediatrics October 24, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-018-3270-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 131 |
| Population | Children aged 9-18 years with primary headaches occurring more than two times per month |
| Interventions | Transcendental meditation hypnotherapy progressive muscle relaxation |
| Duration | 3-month intervention with follow-up at 3 and 9 months |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Headache Treatment outcome Hypnosis Adaptation, psychological Adolescent Female Children Relaxation Pain Hypnotherapy |
| Key findings | All three mind-body techniques reduced headache frequency in children, from 18.9 days per month to 12.5 and 10.5 days at 3 and 9 months, with no significant differences between transcendental meditation, hypnotherapy, and progressive muscle relaxation. At least 50% headache reduction occurred in 41% and 47% of children at 3 and 9 months, and no adverse events were reported. |
Abstract
Many children suffer from headaches. Since stress may trigger headaches, effective techniques to cope with stress are needed. We investigated the effectiveness of two mind-body techniques, transcendental meditation (TM) or hypnotherapy (HT), and compared them with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises (active control group). Children (9-18 years) suffering from primary headaches more than two times per month received either TM (N = 42), HT (N = 45) or PMR (N = 44) for 3 months. Primary outcomes were frequency of headaches and ≥ 50% reduction in headaches at 3 and 9 months. Secondary outcomes were adequate relief, pain coping, anxiety and depressive symptoms, somatisation and safety of treatment. Groups were comparable at baseline. Headache frequency was significantly reduced in all groups from 18.9 days per month to 12.5 and 10.5 at respectively 3 and 9 months (p < 0.001), with no significant differences between the groups. Clinically relevant headache reduction (≥ 50%) was observed in 41% and 47% of children at 3 and 9 months respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. No differences were observed in secondary outcome measures between the intervention groups. No adverse events were reported.Conclusion: All three techniques reduced primary headache in children and appeared to be safe.Trial registration: NTR 2955, 28 June 2011 ( www.trialregister.nl ) What is Known: • Stress may be an important trigger for both tension type headache and migraine in children. • Good data are lacking on the effect of transcendental meditation, hypnotherapy or progressive muscle relaxation as possible stress-reducing therapies in children with primary headaches. What is New: • Three non-pharmacological techniques, i.e., transcendental meditation, hypnotherapy and progressive muscle relaxation exercises, all result in a clinically significant reduction of headaches and use of pain medication. • No large differences between the three techniques were found, suggesting that children can choose either one of the three techniques based on personal preferences.
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 4
- Living Standards, Transcendental Meditation and the Perúvian Miracle: A 41-Year Study of Social and Economic Factors World Journal of Social Science November 13, 2023
- Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health March 13, 2022
- Systematic Review for the Medical Applications of Meditation in Randomized Controlled Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 22, 2022
- Mantra Meditation for Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Cites 5
- The Effects of the transcendental meditation program on mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology February 24, 2009
- Clinical Hypnosis, an Effective Mind-Body Modality for Adolescents with Behavioral and Physical Complaints. Children March 24, 2017
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Perceived Pain Intensity and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Headache. Global Journal of Health Science August 6, 2015
- Meditation for migraines: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain October 2014
- Migraines and meditation: does spirituality matter? Journal of Behavioral Medicine August 2008