people who make this shift will obtain a significant benefit that is sustainable for the rest of their lives .”
The University of Alabama trial integrates mindfulness meditation with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction . The goal is to extract the key components of each approach to form an integrated treatment package .
As part of the study ’ s MBCT program , treatment groups meet once a week for two-hour sessions . Each session consists of an extended , guided meditation , which becomes more advanced as the program progresses . Patients also get a series of meditation CDs for daily , at-home practice .
“ On the surface , the meditation techniques serve as a relaxation exercise that lowers stress reactions ,” Thorn says . “ More deeply , meditation exercises are thought to train the brain so it is less prone to react reflexively with negative thoughts , emotions and behaviors that elevate the stress thermostat .”
Sessions also include basic yoga and other group exercises to help patients “ get out of their head .” Both Thorn and Day hope to conclude that MBCT will be a feasible treatment alternative or a solid complement to medication-based pain management .
“ We know that traditional biomedical approaches can only go so far and [ have ] substantial side effects ,” Thorn says . “ Physicians recognize that triggers , such as stress and lifestyle , are important components of overall headache management , yet they lack the time and expertise to address this critical aspect of headache pain .”
The researchers are using a randomized controlled trial that compares MBCT — an immediate treatment strategy — to a delayed treatment control group . Participants complete pre- , mid- and post-treatment assessments , in addition to a six-month follow-up , to determine any long-term benefits .
Throughout the eight-week program , patients in both the MBCT and control group complete a daily headache diary online . MBCT patients also complete a daily practice diary .
“ This allows us to track patients on a day-to-day basis and examine patterns of change across individuals ,” Day says .
In addition to researching outcomes , such as headache intensity , frequency and pain-related disability , researchers also want to know how patients carve out time for meditation , how they react to mindfulness exercises and how
MBCT changes the way they approach their headaches . “ One patient said at the end of [ her ] program , ‘ I still have headache pain , but it doesn ’ t have me ,’” Day says .
While the researchers say it ’ s too early to report the statistical findings of this trial , interim analysis suggests patients who completed treatment substantially improved on one or more headache-related outcome measures . Patients randomly assigned to the control group experienced minimal change .
“ The biggest challenge to patients has been overcoming the obstacle of carving out time from their busy lives for daily meditation practice ,” Thorn says . “ However , around midway through treatment , most patients have come to place their practice at the top of their to-do list .”
The researchers expect those who stick with MBCT practice to not only experience reductions in the frequency of their headaches and in the amount of medication they take , but also to be more aware and accepting of the present moment — even if that moment brings a headache . HW
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