Yoga Therapy for Chronic Tension-Type Headache

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of yoga therapy for Chronic Tension-Type Headache.

METHOD: 68 patients diagnosed with chronic tension-type headache were included in 12- week yoga therapy program. All patients completed baseline assessments before starting the intervention and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks completing the yoga therapy. Headache frequency, duration, intensity and analgesics use were recorded through headache diaries.

RESULT: Compared with baseline values, mean headache days reduced 51% after 4-week of intervention which continued to reduce by 78% by end of 12 weeks. Comparing from baseline, at 12-week, duration of each headache attack also significantly (P < 0.0001) shortened as well as headache intensity (p < 0.0001). Days with medication per four weeks at post intervention were lower than those at the baseline.

CONCLUSION: The study provided preliminary evidence that yoga therapy can be clinically useful for chronic tension-type headache. Further randomised controlled trial is needed.