Preliminary Report on the Use of Autogenic Feedback Training in the Treatment of Migraine and Tension Headaches

Abstract

A new technique for psychosomatic self-regulation, called autogenic feedback training, was developed by combining biofeedback techniques with autogenic training, a therapeutic method involving simultaneous management of mental and somatic functions. The approach used to control autonomic nervous system functioning was voluntarily increasing blood flow into the hands which is directly related to an increase in hand temperature. By chance, one research subject found that her sudden recovery from a migraine attack coincided with an increase in hand temperature of 10°F in two minutes. This observation culminated in a study of 28 migraine and tension headache sufferers who used hand-warming exercises to regulate their headaches. From this study, regulation of blood flow to the hands seems a useful treatment for migraine attacks. Tension headaches may require a different form of biofeedback training. The encouraging results of this study should provide impetus to other basic research in psychosomatic medicine.