sEMG Biofeedback for Episodic Migraines: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Episodic migraines significantly impact quality of life and increase disability.
• Current treatment options for episodic migraines have limitations.
• There is a need for accessible and effective non-pharmacological interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a 6-week virtual surface electromyography (sEMG) biofeedback intervention for episodic migraines.
• To evaluate the impact of the intervention on migraine-related disability, quality of life, anxiety, and depression.
• To explore changes in sensory processing using Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST).

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial comparing virtual sEMG biofeedback to treatment as usual.
• Participants completed validated assessments for disability, quality of life, anxiety, and depression.
• Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) was performed at baseline and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The sEMG biofeedback group showed significantly lower migraine disability compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
• Participants in the sEMG group reported significant reductions in anxiety (p < 0.01) and improvements in quality of life (p < 0.001).
• sEMG biofeedback led to significant decreases in temporal summation (p < 0.05) as assessed by QST; no significant changes in migraine frequency were observed in either group.

Conclusions:

• Virtual sEMG biofeedback is a feasible and promising digital intervention for reducing disability, anxiety, and depression in episodic migraine patients.
• The intervention demonstrated potential for improving quality of life and altering sensory processing.
• These findings support further investigation in larger randomized controlled trials.