Passive Infrared Hemoencephalography (pIR HEG) for the Treatment of Migraine without Aura

Alison Walker,Randall Lyle

doi:10.15540/nr.3.2.78

Alison Walker, Randall Lyle

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.3.2.78

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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of Passive Infrared Hemoencephalography (pIR HEG) in reducing headache-related disability in adults with migraine without aura (MWOA). Methods: This quasi-experimental study enrolled 31 adults ( M age = 38.65 years, range = 20–65 years) who met the International Classification of Headache Disorders (2nd ed.) criteria for migraine without aura (MWOA; IHS, 2004). All participants received the treatment. Participants completed a 10-week protocol of pIR HEG. Changes in headache impact were assessed at three points in time: baseline, after sixtreatment sessions, and after 10 treatment sessions. Outcome Measures: Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. Results: Significant reductions in HIT-6 scores were found between Pretest and Midtreatment, p < .001, and between Pretest and Posttest, ( p < .001). Significant reductions in MIDAS scores were found between Pretest and Posttest, p < .001.Results indicated MIDAS subscale A scores did not significantly change across the three time points. Significant reductions in MIDAS subscale B scores were found between Pretest and Midtreatment, p < .001, and between Pretest and Posttest, p < .001.In this study, pIR HEG appeared to be effective by the end of treatment in reducing the impact of headache-related disability among the participants.

Highlights

Migraine is a highly prevalent, episodic, chronic pain condition characterized by disabling attacks and impaired functioning between attacks (Buse, Rupnow, & Lipton, 2009; Dahlӧf & Solomon, 2006; Diamond et al, 2006; International Headache Society [IHS], 2004; Lipton, Stewart, Sawyer, & Edmeads, 2001)
The results indicated, in the sample population, a significant reduction in the HIT-6 mean scores from pretest to the midtreatment, and from pretest to posttest following in a 10-week protocol of Passive Infrared Hemoencephalography (pIR HEG)
This study found a significant reduction in the global impact of headache-related disability (HIT-6 scores) from pretest to midtreatment, and from posttest

Summary

Introduction

Migraine is a highly prevalent, episodic, chronic pain condition characterized by disabling attacks and impaired functioning between attacks (Buse, Rupnow, & Lipton, 2009; Dahlӧf & Solomon, 2006; Diamond et al, 2006; International Headache Society [IHS], 2004; Lipton, Stewart, Sawyer, & Edmeads, 2001). Migraine is a primary headache disorder (i.e., headache that lacks a clear diagnostic or biochemical marker; IHS, 2004) that produces substantial physical suffering and impairs functioning. Migraine can place an enormous economic burden on individual sufferers, their families, and on society. Acute migraine attacks are generally characterized by headache of a throbbing or pulsating quality, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound), and nausea, vomiting, or both (IHS, 2004). Current treatments can reduce the frequency and severity of acute migraine attacks. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment often produces the best

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