The effect of different exercise types on migraine frequency in individuals with migraine: A pilot study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different types and combinations of exercise on migraine attacks and accompanying comorbidities.

Background: Combining aerobic and resistance exercises may yield more significant improvements in patients with migraine.

Methods: This parallel-group randomized controlled study included 24 participants, who were then divided equally into three groups: an aerobic exercise group, a combined exercise group (aerobic and resistance exercises), and a control group. It was conducted at Ege University Hospital between September 2022 and March 2024. Following a 1-month baseline headache diary period, both intervention groups participated in the same aerobic exercises 3 days a week for 12 weeks. The combined exercise group performed five resistance exercises targeting the neck, upper back, and shoulder muscles alongside the aerobic exercises 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline, after the 3-month intervention period, and after a 2-month follow-up period. The primary outcome was the number of migraine headache days per month. Secondary outcomes included anxiety and depression levels, aerobic capacity, physical activity status, and migraine-related quality of life.

Results: The number of migraine days per month significantly decreased in both the aerobic and combined exercise groups during the post-intervention period, while no significant change was observed in the control group (p < 0.001 for aerobic and combined exercise groups, p = 0.166 for control group). Migraine headache frequency showed a statistically significant decrease in the combined exercise group compared to the aerobic exercise group (p = 0.027). Additionally, both exercise groups showed significant improvements in aerobic capacity (p < 0.001 for both) and physical activity levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) post-intervention, which were not observed in the control group (p = 0.747 for aerobic capacity, p = 0.05 for physical activity levels). Although no significant effect on depression scores was observed in either exercise group, anxiety scores significantly decreased in the combined exercise group from pre- to post-intervention (p = 0.037). Significant improvements in migraine-related quality of life were observed in both intervention groups (p = 0.018 and p = 0.001, respectively), with no significant difference (p = 0.934). Neither significant change was observed in depression and anxiety scores nor migraine-related quality of life in the control group (p = 0.593, p = 0.438 and 0.081 respectively).

Conclusions: Aerobic and combined exercise groups showed a reduction in monthly migraine headache frequency without any side effects, with the reduction being statistically more significant in the combined exercise group.