Clinical Research Directory

High-Intensity Interval Training and Progressive Muscle Relaxation as a Movement-Based Group Intervention for the Non-Pharmacological Prevention of Adolescent Migraine

Background: The prevalence of migraine during adolescence is 7.7%, affecting 9.7% of girls and 6.0% of boys. Despite its high prevalence, treatment options remain limited. Insufficient treatment may increase the risk of headache chronification or the development of medication-overuse headache. In Tyrol, 21.7% of children and adolescents with chronic headache exhibit medication overuse. To improve the care of adolescents with migraine, a regularly scheduled, professionally supervised group intervention could be of considerable value. Physical exercise and relaxation techniques are already recommended in guidelines for migraine management. Although there is a substantial body of evidence regarding the effectiveness of these non-pharmacological preventive approaches in adults, findings remain heterogeneous, making it difficult to reliably estimate their true effect. Evidence in children and adolescents is still scarce. Methods: We hypothesize that a combination of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) may provide a particularly effective non-pharmacological preventive approach. In addition, the psychosocial benefits of exercising together represent an important component of the intervention, which is therefore delivered in a group setting. Although patients are routinely advised during medical consultations to increase their level of physical activity, implementing this recommendation in everyday life can be challenging for many adolescents. A supervised, on-site group intervention may help increase motivation and adherence. Discussion: If the intervention results in a significant reduction in migraine attack frequency and migraine-related burden, the findings could provide a basis for securing financial support to establish the program as a long-term extension of care for adolescents with migraine. Such an intervention could sustainably reduce the burden of migraine and may therefore be of considerable relevance to real-world clinical care.

Randomized Study in Children and Adolescents With Migraine: Acute Treatment

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and efficacy of BHV-3000 versus placebo in the acute treatment of moderate or severe migraine in children and adolescents.

MIGRAFIT: Evaluating a Group Therapy Program Combining Physical Activity, Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Psychoeducation for Adolescents With Migraine

Background: Migraine is a headache disorder highly prevalent in children and adolescents. It significantly affects academic performance and quality of life. A conservative approach to pharmacological prophylaxis for pediatric patients persists in clinical practice, as potential risks must be carefully weighed against the benefits for each individual patient. Non-pharmacological interventions, including physical activity, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and psychoeducation have shown promising effects individually but demand a high level of patient motivation. This study protocol creates the foundation to evaluate a novel group therapy program combining high-intensity interval training (HIIT), PMR, and psychoeducation tailored for children and adolescents with migraine. Methods: This single-centre, open-label, randomized controlled trial will enrol 80 participants aged 13 to 17 years and diagnosed with migraine according to ICHD-3 criteria. Participants are randomized 1:1 into an intervention and control group. The intervention group will receive a 18-week, once-weekly 65-minute group therapy (comprising HIIT and PMR) plus two sessions of psychoeducation. The control group receives no intervention. Primary outcomes are changes in migraine frequency, duration, intensity and acute medication use, assessed through standardized headache diaries before and after the intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in migraine-related disability (PedMIDAS questionnaire), exploratory analysis of physical activity patterns in a subgroup and a patient-centered evaluation of the intervention's feasibility and perceived effectiveness. Discussion: This trial will provide evidence on the effectiveness and feasibility of a structured, time-efficient, multimodal group therapy intervention for pediatric migraine. By combining physical and psychological strategies within a supportive group setting, the program aims to overcome key limitations of adherence and offer a non-pharmacological treatment alternative. If successful, the intervention is intended to be incorporated into routine outpatient care for pediatric migraine at the Medical University of Innsbruck.

PEDİATRİC MİGRAİNE PATİENTS İN FİNDİNGS

Migraine is a common neurological disease in the pediatric population. However, studies investigating the clinical symptoms associated with the different phases of migraine attacks (prodrome, aura, postdrome), particularly in childhood and adolescence, remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical symptoms experienced by children with migraine during attack phases (prodrome, aura, postdrome) and to investigate potential differences in these symptoms according to age and gender The first 18 questions assessed sociodemographic variables, including age, sex, body weight, parental characteristics, social status, age at migraine diagnosis and symptoms, knowledge of migraine, family history of migraine, comorbid conditions, and access to healthcare services. The second part of the questionnaire consisted of questions on headache and migraine-related symptoms and clinical characteristics (questions 19-26), migraine treatment (questions 28-34), and postdrome features (questions 35-39). The study examined migraine-related symptoms and clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, and the influence of sex and age group on the stages of migraine. All patients underwent an assessment of headaches within the last three months, along with physical and neurological examinations. The diagnosis of migraine was made according to the ICHD-III criteria.

The Efficacy of Beneficial Intestinal Microbiota in the Treatment of Migraine and Its Mechanism: Basic and Clinical Studies

pediatric migraine