The effect of different exercise types on migraine frequency in individuals with migraine: A pilot study

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different types and combinations of exercise on migraine attacks and accompanying comorbidities.

Combining aerobic and resistance exercises may yield more significant improvements in patients with migraine.

This parallel-group randomized controlled study included 24 participants, who were then divided equally into three groups: an aerobic exercise group, a combined exercise group (aerobic and resistance exercises), and a control group. It was conducted at Ege University Hospital between September 2022 and March 2024. Following a 1-month baseline headache diary period, both intervention groups participated in the same aerobic exercises 3 days a week for 12 weeks. The combined exercise group performed five resistance exercises targeting the neck, upper back, and shoulder muscles alongside the aerobic exercises 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline, after the 3-month intervention period, and after a 2-month follow-up period. The primary outcome was the number of migraine headache days per month. Secondary outcomes included anxiety and depression levels, aerobic capacity, physical activity status, and migraine-related quality of life.

The number of migraine days per month significantly decreased in both the aerobic and combined exercise groups during the post-intervention period, while no significant change was observed in the control group (p < 0.001 for aerobic and combined exercise groups, p = 0.166 for control group). Migraine headache frequency showed a statistically significant decrease in the combined exercise group compared to the aerobic exercise group (p = 0.027). Additionally, both exercise groups showed significant improvements in aerobic capacity (p < 0.001 for both) and physical activity levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) post-intervention, which were not observed in the control group (p = 0.747 for aerobic capacity, p = 0.05 for physical activity levels). Although no significant effect on depression scores was observed in either exercise group, anxiety scores significantly decreased in the combined exercise group from pre- to post-intervention (p = 0.037). Significant improvements in migraine-related quality of life were observed in both intervention groups (p = 0.018 and p = 0.001, respectively), with no significant difference (p = 0.934). Neither significant change was observed in depression and anxiety scores nor migraine-related quality of life in the control group (p = 0.593, p = 0.438 and 0.081 respectively).

Aerobic and combined exercise groups showed a reduction in monthly migraine headache frequency without any side effects, with the reduction being statistically more significant in the combined exercise group.