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A Comparison of Frontal Electromyographic Biofeedback Training, Trapezius Electromyographic Biofeedback Training, and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy in the Treatment of Tension Headache
Author(s) -
Arena John G.,
Bruno Glenda M.,
Hannah Susan L.,
Meador Kimford J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1995.hed3507411.x
Subject(s) - biofeedback , medicine , regimen , physical therapy , relaxation (psychology) , muscle tension , tension headache , electromyography , physical medicine and rehabilitation , frontalis muscle , migraine , anesthesia , surgery , ptosis
This study is the first systematic examination of a trapezius EMG biofeedback training regimen with tension headache sufferers. It evaluated the differential effects of three psychophysiological treatments for tension headache: (1) a standard 12‐session frontal EMG biofeedback training regimen (n=8), (2) a 12‐session upper trapezius EMG biofeedback training regimen (n=10), and (3) a standard seven‐session progressive muscle relaxation therapy regimen (n=8). Posttreatment assessment at 3 months following cessation of treatment revealed clinically significant decreases in overall headache activity (50% or greater) in 50% of subjects in the frontal biofeedback group, 100% in the trapezius biofeedback group, and 37.5% in the relaxation therapy group. Chi‐squared analyses indicated that the trapezius biofeedback group was more effective in obtaining significant clinical improvement than the frontal biofeedback and relaxation therapy groups (which did not differ from each other). The three treatments did not differ on secondary measures of headache improvement (number of headache‐free days, peak headache activity, and medication index). Implications for the psychophysiological treatment of tension headache, as well as future research directions, are discussed.