Electromyographic biofeedback training for tension headache in the elderly : a prospective study

This study evaluated the effects of a 12-session frontal electromyographic biofeedback training regimen on the headache activity of eight tension headache sufferers aged 62 and older. The biofeedback sessions were slightly modified for a geriatric population, essentially to increase comprehension an...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 1991-12, Vol.16 (4), p.379-390
Main Authors: ARENA, J. G, HANNAH, S. L, BRUNO, G. M, MEADOR, K. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biofeedback, Psychology - methods
Biological and medical sciences
Electromyography
Female
Headache - therapy
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Prognosis
Prospective Studies
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Relaxation. Biofeedback. Hypnosis. Selfregulation. Meditation
Treatments
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study evaluated the effects of a 12-session frontal electromyographic biofeedback training regimen on the headache activity of eight tension headache sufferers aged 62 and older. The biofeedback sessions were slightly modified for a geriatric population, essentially to increase comprehension and retention of rationale and instructions. Post-treatment assessment at three months revealed significant decreases in overall headache activity (50% or greater) in 50% of the subjects, and moderate improvement (35%-45%) in three of the remaining four subjects. Significant clinical and/or statistical pre-post differences were also found for the number of headache-free days, peak headache activity, and medication index. This is the first prospective study of biofeedback training for tension headache in an elderly population and, unlike previous retrospective studies, suggests that such therapy may be an effective intervention in the treatment of tension headaches in the elderly.
ISSN:0363-3586
1573-3270
DOI:10.1007/BF00999991