Infra-low frequency neurofeedback in tension-type headache : a cross-over sham-controlled study

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Arina, Galina A. and Dobrushina, Olga R. and Shvetsova, Elizaveta T. and Osina, Ekaterina D. and Meshkov, Georgy A. and Aziatskaya, Guzel A. and Trofimova, Alexandra K. and Efremova, Inga N. and Martunov, Sergey E. and Nikolaeva, Valentina V. (2022) Infra-low frequency neurofeedback in tension-type headache : a cross-over sham-controlled study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 16. 891323. ISSN 1662-5161 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2022.891323)

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Abstract

Primary headaches are highly prevalent and represent a major cause of disability in young adults. Neurofeedback is increasingly used in the treatment of chronic pain; however, there are few studies investigating its efficacy in patients with headaches. We report the results of a cross-over sham-controlled study on the efficacy of neurofeedback in the prophylactic treatment of tension-type headache (TTH). Participants received ten sessions of infra-low frequency electroencephalographic neurofeedback and ten sessions of sham-neurofeedback, with the order of treatments being randomized. The study also included a basic psychotherapeutic intervention — a psychoeducational session performed before the main study phases and emotional support provided throughout the study period. The headache probability was modeled as a function of the neurofeedback and sham-neurofeedback sessions performed to date. As a result, we revealed a strong beneficial effect of neurofeedback and no influence of the sham sessions. The study supports the prophylactic use of infra-low frequency neurofeedback in patients with TTH. From a methodological point of view, we advocate for the explicit inclusion of psychotherapeutic components in neurofeedback study protocols.

ORCID iDs

Arina, Galina A., Dobrushina, Olga R. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9493-4212, Shvetsova, Elizaveta T., Osina, Ekaterina D., Meshkov, Georgy A., Aziatskaya, Guzel A., Trofimova, Alexandra K., Efremova, Inga N., Martunov, Sergey E. and Nikolaeva, Valentina V.;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)