Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on headache pain in migraine patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

We synthesized the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on headache pain in migraine patients and conducted moderator analyses to identify the sources of heterogeneity.

METHODS

We searched nine databases from their inception until November 2024. Our focus was on primary studies that compared MBIs with waitlist, usual care, or no intervention in terms of improving headache pain in patients with migraines. We only included studies published in English. A random-effects model was employed to calculate the effect size (ES). We used a funnel plot, Q statistics, and the I2 statistic to assess the heterogeneity among the studies. Additionally, we performed moderator analyses to investigate the sources of heterogeneity based on the information source, methods used, intervention specifics, and participant characteristics.

RESULTS

In a review of 10 primary studies involving 330 patients with migraines, 319 patients served as controls. The participants' mean age ranged from 31.15 to 46.77 years. Overall, the findings indicated that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly reduced headache pain in the MBI groups compared to the control groups, with a Hedge's g of 0.389 (95 % Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.126, 0.651) and an I2 value of 61.3 %. Moderator analyses revealed that the intention-to-treat technique and the power of sample influenced the effect sizes. No other quality indicators were found to moderate the effect sizes.

CONCLUSION

MBIs have shown effectiveness in reducing headache pain in migraines patients. Clinicians and health professionals should consider utilizing MBIs as alternative or complementary treatments to reduce the severity of headaches in these patients.