Effects of behaviour therapy on migraine and plasma beta-endorphin in young migraine patients

In this study we measured concentrations of beta-endorphin, ACTH, prolactin and cortisol in plasma of migraine patients (ages 10-19) and age-matched controls, and the effects of behaviour therapy on both migraine and the endocrine parameters. Two groups of migraine patients (M) and controls (C) were recruited: group I (MI, n = 11; CI, n = 13) in winter and group II (MII, n = 9; CII, n = 7) in summer. Both M groups received behaviour therapy: group MI immediately and group MII after a waiting period of 3.5 months. Hormone determinations were made before and after the behaviour therapy of group MI and before and after the waiting period of group MII. At the first measurement (before therapy and waiting period), migraine subjects had lower concentrations of beta-endorphin than controls. After behaviour therapy, both groups showed a significant decline in migraine, which was retained at follow-up 9-12 months after completion of the therapy. Improvement of migraine after behaviour therapy was accompanied by a rise in the level of beta-endorphin in group MI. In contrast, the patients of the waiting period (group MII) showed improvement in migraine after the waiting period but no changes in beta-endorphin. Seasonal differences were observed for beta-endorphin, prolactin and cortisol, winter values being lower than summer values.