Effect of Audio Versus Mental Imagery on Disability and Quality of Life in Migraine
Jeba Chitra, Saniya M. Bagwan, Deepshikha G. Bali, Radhika V. BhalekarAbstract
Background:
Pulsatile, unilateral headache is the characteristic feature of migraine. Due to its high prevalence and short-term effects of drugs, there is an increasing need to find nonpharmacological therapy for its treatment. Mental and audio imagery are two novel-guided imagery techniques that can have positive effects on migraine. A need arises to study and compare the effects of both the techniques on disability and quality of life (QOL).
Objectives:
To evaluate and compare the effect of audio and mental imagery on disability using Migraine Disability Assessment scale (MIDAS) and QOL using migraine-specific QOL (MSQL) in migraine.
Materials and Methods:
Thirty-six volunteer participants having migraine without aura between the ages of 18 and 40 years were recruited in this study. The recruited participants were screened with the MIDAS and MSQL Scale, which were the tools of outcome measures as well. Both groups, Group A (mental imagery) and Group B (audio imagery), were given a 4-week intervention of 10 sessions each, with a duration of 17 min for Group A and 9 min for Group B.
Results:
A significant improvement was noted in all parameters within Group A and Group B when compared with preintervention values. The between-group comparison showed that there was no significant improvement.
Conclusion:
The study concluded that both techniques were equally effective in improving MIDAS and MSQL levels for migraine patients. However, there is no significant difference between mental and audio imagery techniques. Hence, both mental and audio imagery can help in achieving better QOL outcomes for patients.