Effects of behaviour therapy on migraine and plasma β-endorphin in young migraine patients

Abstract

In this study we measured concentrations of β-endorphin, ACTH, prolactin and cortisol in plasma of migraine patients (ages 10–19) and age-matched controls, and the effects of behaviour therapy on both migraine and the endocrine parameters. Two groups of migraine patients (M) and controls (C) were recruited: group I (M I, n=11; C I, n=13) in winter and group II (M II, n=9; C II, n=7) in summer. Both M groups received behaviour therapy: group M I immediately and group M II after a waiting period of 3.5 months. Hormone determinations were made before and after the behaviour therapy of group M I and before and after the waiting period of group M II. At the first measurement (before therapy and waiting period), migraine subjects had lower concentrations of β-endorphin than controls. After behaviour therapy, both groups showed a significant decline in migraine, which was retained at follow-up 9–12 months after completion of the therapy. Improvement of migraine after behaviour therapy was accompanied by a rise in the level of β-endorphin in group M I. In contrast, the patients of the waiting period (group M II) showed improvement in migraine after the waiting period but no changes in β-endorphin. Seasonal differences were observed for β-endorphin, prolactin and cortisol, winter values being lower than summer values.