QEEG-guided neurofeedback for recurrent migraine headaches

Clin EEG Neurosci. 2011 Jan;42(1):59-61. doi: 10.1177/155005941104200112.

Abstract

Seventy-one patients with recurrent migraine headaches, aged 17-62, from one neurological practice, completed a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) procedure. All QEEG results indicated an excess of high-frequency beta activity (21-30 Hz) in 1-4 cortical areas. Forty-six of the 71 patients selected neurofeedback training while the remaining 25 chose to continue on drug therapy. Neurofeedback protocols consisted of reducing 21-30 Hz activity and increasing 10 Hz activity (5 sessions for each affected site). All the patients were classified as migraine without aura. For the neurofeedback group the majority (54%) experienced complete cessation of their migraines, and many others (39%) experienced a reduction in migraine frequency of greater than 50%. Four percent experienced a decrease in headache frequency of < 50%. Only one patient did not experience a reduction in headache frequency. The control group of subjects who chose to continue drug therapy as opposed to neurofeedback experienced no change in headache frequency (68%), a reduction of less than 50% (20%), or a reduction greater than 50% (8%). QEEG-guided neurofeedback appears to be dramatically effective in abolishing or significantly reducing headache frequency in patients with recurrent migraine.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Beta Rhythm / physiology*
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological / instrumentation
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnosis
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Migraine Disorders / therapy*
  • Neurofeedback / instrumentation*
  • Neurofeedback / methods*
  • Parietal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult