Effectiveness of yoga therapy for migraine treatment: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

Am J Emerg Med. 2022 Aug:58:95-99. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.04.050. Epub 2022 May 2.

Abstract

Introduction: Yoga therapy may have some potential in treating migraine, and thus this meta-analysis aims to explore the efficacy of yoga therapy for patients with migraine.

Methods: PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases have been systematically searched and we included the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the efficacy of yoga therapy for migraine patients. The outcomes included.

Results: This meta-analysis included six RCTs. The results revealed that compared with control group for migraine, yoga therapy was associated with remarkably decreased pain intensity (SMD = -1.21; 95% CI = -2.17 to -0.25; P = 0.01), headache frequency (SMD = -1.43; 95% CI = -2.23 to -0.64; P = 0.0004), headache duration (SMD = -1.03; 95% CI = -1.85 to -0.21; P = 0.01), HIT-6 score (SMD = -2.28; 95% CI = -3.81 to -0.75; P = 0.003) and MIDAS score (SMD = -0.52; 95% CI = -0.77 to -0.27; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Yoga therapy may be effective to treat migraine patients, but it should be recommended with caution because of heterogeneity.

Keywords: Migraine; Pain intensity; Randomized controlled trials; Yoga therapy.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Headache
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders* / therapy
  • Pain Measurement
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Yoga*