Abstract
The biofeedback literature affirms the therapeutic efficacy of EMG-biofeedback-assisted relaxation for the treatment of tension headache. However, this form of therapy has failed to focus on the role of cognitive variables in the control and perception of tension headache. The present case study provides a prototype treatment combining cognitive behavior-modification procedures with EMG-biofeedback training to treat a subject with chronic tension headache. Phase I, baseline, involved collecting mean EMG and daily headache activity, emphasizing specification of environmental stressors. Phase II, cognitive skills-training, focused on:(1) identifying negative self-statements(cognitions) related to stressors, and(2) training the subject to replace negative self-statements with coping self-instructions. This treatment resulted in a 33% headache reduction over baseline, with no concomitant changes in frontalis EMG. Phase III, EMG-biofeedback training, resulted in a 38% reduction in mean EMG level and a 66% reduction in mean headache activity when compared to baseline. The results suggest the importance of attending to cognitive factors in the treatment of tension headache.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Averill, J. Personal control over aversive stimuli and its relationship to stress.Psychological Bulletin 1973,80 286–303.
Bakal, D. A. Headache: A biopsychological perspective.Psychological Bulletin 1975,8 369–382.
Barber, T. X., & Cooper, B. J. Effects on pain of experimentally induced and spontaneous distraction.Psychological Reports 1972,31 647–651.
Budzynski, T. H. Biofeedback procedures in the clinic.Seminars in Psychiatry 1973,5 537–547.
Budzynski, T. H., Stoyva, J. M., & Adler, C. Feedback-induced muscle relaxation: Application to tension headaches.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 1970,1 205–211.
Budzynski, T. H., Stoyva, J. M., Adler, C. S., & Mullaney, D. J. EMG biofeedback and tension headache: A controlled outcome study.Psychosomatic Medicine 1973,35 484–496.
Glass, D., & Singer, J.Urban stress: Experiments in noise and social stressors. New York: Academic Press, 1972.
Janis, I. L.Stress and frustration. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1971.
Johnson, J. E., & Leventhal, H. Effects of accurate expectations and behavioral instructions on reactions during a noxious medical examination.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1974,29 710–718.
Kanfer, F. H., & Goldfoot, D. A. Self-control and tolerance of noxious stimulation.Psychological Reports 1966,18 79–85.
Langer, E. J., Janis, I. L., & Wolfer, J. A. Reduction of psychological stress in surgical patients. Unpublished manuscript, Yale University, 1974.
Lazarus, R. S., & Alfert, E. Short-circuiting of threat by experimentally altering cognitive appraisal.Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 1964,69 195–205.
Mader, D. J., Marble, A. E., & Reeves, J. L. An inexpensive variable time period integrator for electromyographic signals.Behavior Research Methods Instrumentation 1974,6 411–415.
Meichenbaum, D. Self-instructional methods. A. Goldstein & F. Kanfer (Eds.).Helping people change: Methods and materials. New York: Pergamon Press, 1974.
Meichenbaum, D., & Cameron, R. Stress inoculation: A skills training approach to anxiety management. Unpublished manuscript, University of Waterloo, 1973.
Meichenbaum, D., Turk, D., & Burstein, S. The nature of coping with stress. Paper presented at the NATO-sponsored conference on Dimensions of Anxiety and Stress, Athens, Greece, September 1974.
Tasto, D. L., & Hinkle, J. E. Muscle relaxation treatment for tension headache.Behaviour Research and Therapy 1973,11 347–349.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reeves, J.L. EMG-biofeedback reduction of tension headache. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 1, 217–225 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998588
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998588