The method involves using progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technology via a phone app called RELAXaHEAD.
PMR involves tensing various muscle groups in the body for several seconds, then slowly relaxing them, focusing on the sensation of relaxation. The app includes audio sessions that include:
5 minute deep breathing exercises.
Short 6-minute PMR session.
A long PMR session of 12.5 minutes.
An 8.5-minute mental muscle scan to detect and release any tension.
Users were advised to perform the exercises for at least 10–15 minutes daily during the 90-day treatment period, with daily adherence for best results.
A recent study has shown that this method helps patients relieve pain and improve their ability to function daily, with an effectiveness rate twice that of traditional treatments.
The trial included 69 participants aged 18 to 65 who visited NYU Langone Health's emergency department for migraine treatment between 2019 and 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to use the app along with daily PMR sessions, or a control group that used the app only as a headache diary without access to the PMR audio files. The results were as follows:
Migraine pain was reduced by 50% in PMR users.
The Migraine-Associated Disability Score (MIDAS) improved by at least 5 points in 82% of participants in the PMR group, compared to 46% in the control group.
Daily exercise adherence led to greater improvement, demonstrating a relationship between treatment dose and response.
PMR is one of the simplest and easiest relaxation techniques to learn. It was developed by Dr. Edmund Jacobson in the 1920s to treat anxiety. More recently, studies have also shown its effectiveness in:
Tension headaches and migraines.
Temporomandibular joint disorder and neck pain.
Insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
Back pain and mood disorders.
Lead researcher Dr. Mia Minnen hopes the app will help patients manage their migraines themselves, reduce emergency room visits, and improve their quality of life without the need for expensive or potentially harmful medications.
The team plans to conduct a larger clinical study to evaluate the app's effectiveness among migraine patients in primary healthcare centers.
The study results were published in JAMA Network Open.
