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Published on: June 2, 2014
Experiences of a Neurofeedback-Based Mindfulness Meditation Intervention for Migraine: Qualitative Study
Tora Levinton1, Jan Gelech1, Faly Golshan1
1Department of Psychology and Health Studies, University of Saskatchewan, 105 Administration Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A2, Canada, 1 306 203 4155.
Background:
Migraine is a debilitating neurological condition often impacting the quality of life and resulting in physical, emotional, and social burdens. Pharmaceutical interventions are the conventional treatment for migraine; however, behavioral interventions provide safe alternatives. Both mindfulness meditation and neurofeedback are behavioral interventions that have been separately studied for migraine treatment. To date, no studies have investigated neurofeedback-assisted mindfulness meditation for migraine treatment and prevention.
Objective:
The objective of our study was to document the experiences of individuals with migraines who participated in an 8-week neurofeedback-based mindfulness meditation intervention as part of a randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
Semistructured interviews were undertaken with 10 participants (7 female and 3 male participants) aged 23 to 55 years who had previously completed an 8-week neurofeedback-based mindfulness meditation program using Muse wearable sensory headbands as part of a randomized control trial. The interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results:
Participants spoke to 3 categories of experiences: the positive impact of neurofeedback-based mindfulness meditation on migraine experiences, enhanced well-being and improved quality of life resulting from the intervention, and the benefits and drawbacks of incorporating a portable electroencephalogram technology into mindfulness meditation practices in the context of migraine treatment. In total, 9 participants felt that their ability to manage migraine symptoms was improved, and all participants expressed benefits beyond migraine prevention and pain management. Participants also spoke to the interconnectedness of migraine symptoms, daily stressors, and the framing of lived experience.
Conclusions:
Notably, as the first study to evaluate the experiences of individuals with migraines using an at-home, neurofeedback-based mindfulness meditation intervention, this investigation adds to our understanding of nonpharmaceutical migraine treatment. Participants reported that this neurofeedback-based mindfulness meditation intervention improved migraine management, leading to significant reductions in pain intensity, migraine frequency, and medication use. They also described improved quality of life and emotional regulation related to this intervention, which they attributed to enhanced attentional control and body awareness. This research supports the consideration of neurofeedback-based mindfulness meditation interventions using emerging technologies, such as wearable electroencephalogram devices, as an accessible behavioral intervention for migraine management.
