Mindfulness and other behavioral approaches

Abstract

Mindfulness and other behavioral approaches have demonstrated efficacy in treatment of different kinds of chronic pain condition and migraine in particular. Such treatments are of particular utility in the treatment of chronic forms of migraine, also associated to medication overuse headache, in reason of the relevant comorbidity - and bidirectional relationship - between migraine, and two of the most common associated conditions, namely anxiety and depression. Second, in reason of the impact that such treatments may have on behavioral issues that might promote MOH maintenance, including external locus of control and self-efficacy. Although the specific mechanism of action of these approaches has not been clarified yet, the absence of side effects and their effectiveness make these options suitable for different categories of frail patients and also for patients during therapy with medication if we want to improve the efficacy of medications itself. The use of these approaches has to be encouraged for clinicians and for patients to treat at the best pain condition and migraine and to improve the efficacy of the new medication for migraine prevention.

Keywords: Behavioral approach; Migraine; Mindfulness.