70% of Migraine Patients Find Neurofeedback Cuts Headache Frequency in Half

I found this article on the Internet. “At the most recent Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Conference, Deborah Stokes, Ph.D, presented her study on neurofeedback and migraine headaches. The findings showed that 26 clients, or 70% of the 37 migraine sufferers, experienced at least a 50% reduction in frequency of their headaches. This data was collected after an average of 14.5 months following treatment, which suggests that results are long-lasting. The study also showed that clients experienced a reduction of symptoms in other co-occurring conditions such as attention deficit disorder, depression, anxiety, other headaches, insomnia and other pain syndromes.

Neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback is a painless, non-invasive method that targets specific brainwave frequencies in order to alleviate symptoms such as inattention, depression, anxiety, headaches and insomnia. Sensors are attached to the scalp and project the brainwaves onto a computer screen in the form of a video game. Clients are instructed to play the video game by using their minds. They are able to eventually shift the targeted brainwave frequencies implicated in their presenting problem and thereby alleviate their symptoms.

"Prior to neurofeedback, I would have approximately 16 yearly visits to the emergency room for migraine treatment. Having tried numerous medications and other treatments over a 15 year period, neurofeedback is the only one that has been successful in reducing my headaches by 80% and the results have lasted for five years now." Lynn Hertel, Arlington, VA.

Many migraine patients also have depression or anxiety and these clients often have a heightened stress response. Neurofeedback has been shown to be helpful for these conditions by decreasing stress patterns that are reflected in the brainwaves."