Skin Temperature Biofeedback and Migraine

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Skin temperature biofeedback was used in treating two groups of patients with migraine. The experimental group received true auditory feedback controlled by increases in skin temperature of their fingers, while the control group received a similar “positive” signal independent of skin temperature changes and controlled by the investigator. The true feedback group increased their skin temperature significantly more (p < 0.05) than the control group, but both groups showed similar improvement in headaches. This study suggests that biofeedback techniques are useful in treating patients with migraine, and the mechanism, presumably a placebo effect, is independent of peripheral skin temperature changes.