Comparative Study Between Auditory, Visual and Combined EMG Biofeedback in Management of Patients with Tension type Headache

Background : Tension-type headache (TTH) is the commonest primary headache.Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback (BF) is considered an effective therapy for tension-type headaches.Comparative effects of auditory and visual EMG biofeedback have not been systematically studied in TTH.The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of EMG BF with audio, visual and integrated BF on headache and quality-of-life in subjects with TTH.

Methods: Subjects with TTH fulfilling the International Headache Society criteria were selected by random sampling and allocated into EMG audio feedback (EMG-a),visual feedback (EMG-v) and integrated audiovisual feedback (EMG-av) groups.They underwent EMG BF therapy for fifteen sessions of thirty minutes each.The headache (pain) variables and SF-36(Quality of life) scores were documented at baseline, one month and three months after commencement of EMG BF therapy.

Results: All groups showed significant improvements in all pain variables.Improvements were also seen in the total,physical and mental scores of SF-36 scores in first and third month follow-up (p
Conclusion: Auditory, visual and integrated auditory-visual EMG biofeedbacks are effective in treatment of TTH with most benefit seen with combined feedback.