Behavioral treatment in migraine. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and blood-volume-pulse biofeedback: a cross-over study with a two-year follow-up.

The aim of the present study was to ascertain the effects of two behavioral medicine approaches to the treatment of migraine. We also evaluated the specific effect of the sequence of the two treatments. Thirty-eight patients, suffering from migraine without aura, either obtained treatment in the following sequence: blood-volume-pulse biofeedback followed by cognitive behavioral therapy (Group I) or were given the treatment in reverse order (Group II). The effects of treatment in Group I were significantly better than those in Group II. We conclude that the application of biofeedback helps the patient to recognize the influence of thoughts and emotions on bodily reactions and therefore prepares the way for successful cognitive treatment.