Changes in MIDAS, Perceived Stress, Frontalis Muscle Activity and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Usage in Patients with Migraine Headache without Aura following Ayurveda and Yoga Compared to Controls: An Open Labeled Non-Randomized Study

Abstract

Background: There has been a significant increase in the use of complementary and integrative medicine to provide long-term healing solutions in migraine headache patients. Knowing the limitations of conventional medical approach, the present study evaluated the influence of two Indian traditional systems of medicine on migraine-related disability, autonomic variables, perceived stress, and muscle activity in patients with migraine headache without aura. Methods: Thirty subjects recruited to the Ayurveda and Yoga (AY) group underwent traditional Panchakarma (Bio-purification) using therapeutic Purgation followed by yoga therapy, while 30 subjects of control (CT) group continued on symptomatic treatment (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAID’s]) for 90 days. Migraine disability assessment score, perceived stress, heart rate variability (HRV), and surface electromyography (EMG) of frontalis muscle were measured on day 1, day 30, and day 90 in both groups. Results: Significant reduction in migraine disability and perceived stress scores were observed in the AY group. The low-frequency component of the HRV decreased significantly, the high-frequency component increased and their ratio showed improved sympathovagal balance. The EMG showed decreased activity of the frontalis muscle in the AY group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The integrative approach combining Ayurveda and Yoga therapy reduces migraine-related disability, perceived stress, sympathetic arousal, and muscle tension.

Effects of Cinnamon on Anthropometry Status and Headache Disability of Migraine Patients: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial

“…Migraine disability was evaluated through a short and self-administered questionnaire thatquanti ed headache-related disability (MIDAS questionnaire). This questionnaire had 5 questions; the total score is calculated based on the number of days marked against each question [16]. The reliability and validity of the MIDAS questionnaire has been established in Iranian patients [17].…”

“…The reliability and validity of the MIDAS questionnaire has been established in Iranian patients [17]. Based on the total score, four grades were considered: Grade I with 0-5 score that meant little or no disability; Grade II with 6-10 score that meant mild disability; Grade III with 11-20 score that meant moderate disability; and Grade IV with more than 21 score that meant severe disability [16].…”

Health biopsychosocial aspects of students and collaborators of a higher education institution suffering from headache

“…The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was applied to rate the disability caused by headache in relation to professional and social life. It has seven questions related to work, social, family, and leisure activities in the last three months, besides analyzing the intensity and frequency of headache episodes 16,17 . The impact of headache frequency on quality of life was assessed by the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6).…”

The Instant Effects of Continuous Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation at Acupoints on the Functional Connectivity of Amygdala in Migraine without Aura: A Preliminary Study

“…A recent study [ 3 ] suggested that the occurrence of migraine was related to the imbalance of the autonomic nervous system, and increasing parasympathetic (mainly including vagal) nerve activity could alleviate the symptoms of migraine [ 4 ]. However, there are only a few indirect ways to regulate the vagal nerve tension, such as breathing regulation and yoga [ 5 ].…”