Olfactory training reduces pain sensitivity in children and adolescents with primary headaches

Goßrau, Gudrun; Zaranek, Laura; Klimová, Anna; Sabatowski, Rainer; Koch, Thea; Richter, Matthias; Haehner, Antje

doi:10.3389/fpain.2023.1091984

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Additionally, a better understanding of the contributions of olfactory sensitivity to chronic headaches may lead to more efficient use of systematic exposure to odors, i.e., olfactory training, in mitigating headaches. To date, olfactory training has been shown to increase pain thresholds in adult patients with chronic lower-back pain [ 42 ] and in children with primary headaches [ 43 ]. Studies in patients with olfactory dysfunction demonstrate that olfactory training leads to structural and functional changes in multiple brain areas [ 44 ], including increased functional connectivity within regions involved in pain processing [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Children and adolescents with primary headaches exhibit altered sensory profiles – a multi-modal investigation

Pieniak,

Höfer,

Knipping

et al. 2024

J Headache Pain

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Background Pediatric headache is an increasing medical problem that has adverse effects on children’s quality of life, academic performance, and social functioning. Children with primary headaches exhibit enhanced sensory sensitivity compared to their healthy peers. However, comprehensive investigations including multimodal sensory sensitivity assessment are lacking. This study aimed to compare sensory sensitivity of children with primary headaches with their healthy peers across multiple sensory domains. Methods The study included 172 participants aged 6 to 17 years (M = 13.09, SD = 3.02 years; 120 girls). Of these 80 participants were patients with migraine, 23 were patients with tension-type headache, and 69 were healthy controls. The following sensory measures were obtained: Mechanical Detection Threshold (MDT), Mechanical Pain Threshold (MPT), Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS), detection and pain threshold for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), olfactory and intranasal trigeminal detection threshold, and odor identification ability. Sensory sensitivity was compared between groups with a series of Kruskal-Wallis tests. Binomial regression models were used to compare the relative utility of sensory sensitivity measures in classifying participants into patients and healthy controls, as well as into patients with migraine and tension-type headache. Results Patients with migraine had lower MPT measured at the forearm than patients with tension-type headaches and healthy controls. MPS was higher in patients with migraine than in healthy controls. All patients with headaches had lower detection threshold of TENS and higher olfactory sensitivity. Healthy controls showed increased intranasal trigeminal sensitivity. Scores in MPS, TENS, and olfactory and trigeminal thresholds were significantly predicting presence of primary headaches. Additionally, scores in MPT, olfactory and trigeminal threshold were positive predictors of type of headache. Conclusions Children with primary headaches exhibit different sensory profiles than healthy controls. The obtained results suggest presence of increased overall, multimodal sensitivity in children with primary headaches, what may negatively impact daily functioning and contribute to further pain chronification. Trial registration The study was registered in the German Registry of Clinical Trials (DRKS) DRKS00021062.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Children and adolescents with primary headaches exhibit altered sensory profiles – a multi-modal investigation

Pieniak,

Höfer,

Knipping

et al. 2024

J Headache Pain

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“…The relationship between smell and pain [1,2] is complex, with several intersections at higher levels of central nervous processing [3]. Studies have found that certain fragrances and smells can help alleviate pain symptoms, while others can exacerbate them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Olfactory Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain: A Multi-Dimensional Approach Supported by fMRI Insights

Santantonio,

Riso,

Gaudino

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Effects of Introvision, a self-regulation method with a mindfulness-based perception technique in migraine prevention: a monocentric randomized waiting-list controlled study (IntroMig Study)

Empl,

Löser,

Spille

et al. 2023

J Headache Pain

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Background Migraine is a brain disorder with recurrent headache attacks and altered sensory processing. Introvision is a self-regulation method based on mindfulness-like perception techniques, developed at the University of Hamburg. Here, we examined the effect of Introvision in migraine prevention. Methods Migraineurs with at least five headache days per month were block-randomized to the experimental group (EG) or waiting list group (WL), the latter starting Introvision training six weeks after the EG. Participants learned Introvision in six weekly on-site group sessions with video-conference support followed by three individual video-conference sessions. Headache diaries and questionnaires were obtained before Introvision training and three months after the last individual Introvision session. Results Fifty-one patients completed the study. The primary outcome, headache days of the EG after Introvision training compared to those of the WL before the training, showed no significant effect (10.6 ± 7.7, n = 22; vs. 10.9 ± 6.3, n = 29, p = 0.63; Mann–Whitney-U-Test). The secondary outcome, comparing pooled EG and WL data before and after Introvision training, revealed a significant reduction of headache days (from 11.7 ± 6.5 to 9.8 ± 7.0; p = 0.003; Wilcoxon-paired-Test) as well as of acute medication intake and Headache-Impact-Test 6 (HIT-6) scores and increased self-efficacy as quantified by increased FKMS-scores (FKMS: german short form of the Headache Management Self-Efficacy Scale (HMSE)). Conclusion Although the study did not reach its primary endpoint, several secondary outcome parameters in the pooled (non-controlled) pre-post analysis showed an improvement with a decrease in monthly headache days by 1.9 days/ month. A larger randomized controlled trial has to corroborate these preliminary findings. Trial registration NCT03507400, Registration date 09.03.2018.

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Olfactory training reduces pain sensitivity in children and adolescents with primary headaches

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Children and adolescents with primary headaches exhibit altered sensory profiles – a multi-modal investigation

Children and adolescents with primary headaches exhibit altered sensory profiles – a multi-modal investigation

Olfactory Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain: A Multi-Dimensional Approach Supported by fMRI Insights

Effects of Introvision, a self-regulation method with a mindfulness-based perception technique in migraine prevention: a monocentric randomized waiting-list controlled study (IntroMig Study)

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