Researchers from the University of Hartford reviewed the findings to see if a high level of hypnotic suggestibility (considered a stable individual trait) is necessary for a hypnotic pain intervention to relieve headache pain.

Higher suggestibility has been found to be associated with greater relief from hypnotic pain interventions, and although individuals in the high suggestibility range show the strongest response to hypnotic analgesia, people of medium suggestibility (who represent approximately one third of the population) also have been found to obtain significant relief from hypnosis.

The researchers conclude that high hypnotic suggestibility is not necessary for successful hypnotic pain intervention for headache – medium suggestibility works too .  But the available evidence does not support the efficacy of hypnotic pain interventions for people who fall in the low hypnotic suggestibility range.  According to some studies, these subjects may benefit from imaginative analgesia suggestions (guided imagery), or suggestions for pain reduction that are delivered while the person is not under hypnosis.

Citation:  Milling LS. Is high hypnotic suggestibility necessary for successful hypnotic pain intervention? Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2008 Apr;12 (2): pages 98-102. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of biofeedback on tension headaches was undertaken by researchers at Philipps-University of Marburg in Marburg, Germany.

A literature search identified 74 outcome studies, of which 53 were selected according to predefined inclusion criteria. Meta-analytic integration resulted in a significant medium-to-large effect size (d = 0.73; 95% confidence interval = 0.61, 0.84) that proved stable over an average follow-up phase of 15 months.

Biofeedback was found to be more effective than headache monitoring, placebo, and relaxation therapy conditions.  The strongest improvements resulted for frequency of headache episodes.  Further significant effects were observed for muscle tension, self-efficacy, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and analgesic medication.

Most effective of all was biofeedback in combination with relaxation. Effects were particularly large in children and adolescents. The review concluded that biofeedback constitutes an effective, evidence-based treatment option for tension-type headache.

Researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, in a retrospective study of clinical records, found that self-hypnosis significantly improved symptoms of recurrent headache in children and adolescents.

Researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota did a retrospective review of 178 consecutive outpatient clinical records (referred to the Behavioral Pediatrics Program from 1988-2001) to see if self-hypnosis helped children and youths with symptoms of recurrent headaches.

Investigators from Philipps-University of Marburg in Germany did a meta-analysis of the efficacy of biofeedback (BFB) in treating migraine. A computerized literature search of the databases Medline, PsycInfo, Psyndex and the Cochrane library, enhanced by a hand search, identified 86 outcome studies, of which 55 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Hungarian researchers find that the popular European technique of Autogenic Training is helpful in all three kinds of headache: migraine, tension, and a combination of the two.

Hungarian researchers investigated the effects of auto-suggestion, using cognitive and symbol therapy elements with auto-suggestion, on three kinds of headache (migraine, tension and combined). The assumption was that since headache is prolonged and exacerbated by depression and anxiety, and these conditions are ameliorated by autosuggestion, that this technique could be valuable for relieving headache for multiple reasons.

Twenty five female patients with migraine, tension-type headache or mixed headache participated in an eight-month follow-up study. Headache frequency, analgesic, antimigraine and anxiolytic drug consumption were measured by means of a headache diary.

Researchers at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttaranchal, India find in a randomized, controlled trial that biofeedback-assisted diaphramgmatic breathing plus systematic relaxation yields greater longterm benefits for migraine sufferers than propanalol..

Researchers at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttaranchal, India, evaluated the effectiveness of biofeedback assisted diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation for those suffering from migraine. They also compared the longterm benefits of these techniques with those of propranolol.

There were 192 migraine patients who were randomly distributed into two groups. The propranolol group received propranolol 80 mg/day while the biofeedback group received electromyogram (EMG) and temperature biofeedback assisted diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation training, accompanied by home practice for 6 months.

Italian researchers from the University of Torino review the literature to see which interventions safely help pregnant women with severe migraines, and find biofeedback and acupuncture worthy of discussion.

Italian researchers at the Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Torino reviewed the literature to see how migraine headaches are treated during pregnancy, when hormones exacerbate the condition, while many standard drugs are contra-indicated.

The most important drugs for the management of acute attacks (triptans, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, antiemetics, ergot derivatives and combination products) are discussed, with analysis of the appropriateness of their use during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy and during lactation, taking into consideration the indications of the Food and Drug Administration and of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In addition, the review discusses two efficacious, non-pharmacological therapies used for migraine - biofeedback and acupuncture, and includes a predetermined formula of acupoints for the combined treatment of migraine and acute nausea and vomiting. (This article is in Italian).

Citation: Allais G, Bosio A, Mana O, Airola G, Ciochetto D, Terzi MG, De Lorenzo C, Quirico PE, Benedetto C. [Migraine during pregnancy and lactation: treatment of the acute attack and non-pharmacological prophylactic strategies] Minerva Med. 2003 Aug;94(4 Suppl 1):27-38. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Effect of autogenic training on drug consumption in patients with primary headache: an 8-month follow-up study.

Researchers from the Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Experimental Medicine, and the Department of Vascular Neurology at Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary examined the effects of Schultz-type autogenic training on headache-related drug consumption and headache frequency. They compared patients with migraine, and patients with tension-type headache, or mixed (migraine plus tension-type) headache over an 8-month period.