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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for the Treatment of Vestibular Migraine: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Cureus
February 1, 2025
Eric J Formeister et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program in reducing dizziness symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with vestibular migraine (VM).

Results Summary

The study found significant improvements in dizziness burden, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life measures after the MBSR intervention. Daily vertigo severity scores also decreased significantly during the treatment period.

Population

20 adult English-speaking female patients (70% White, average age 46.7 years) diagnosed with vestibular migraine.

Effective Dosage

Eight-week MBSR course with weekly 2.5-hour guided meditation and instructional sessions, plus required reading materials.

Duration

8 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI) scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
p<0.01
improved significantly
#1
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
p=0.03
improved significantly
#2
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
p<0.01
improved significantly
#3
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
p<0.01
improved significantly
#4
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
VM Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory (VM-PATHI) scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
p<0.01
improved significantly
#5
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
increase
Patient Reported Outcome Measure Information System (PROMIS) Global Physical and Mental Health Forms scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
p<0.01
improved significantly
#6
-
no change
mean daily vertigo scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
adjusted r2 = 0.03; p=0.54
did not change significantly
#7
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
mean daily vertigo scores
adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM)
adjusted r2 = 0.32; p<0.001
decreased significantly
#8
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
decrease
dizziness burden
subjects with VM
-
highly effective for decreasing
#9
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
increase
measures of quality of life
subjects with VM
-
improving
#10
Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation and efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for treating dizziness symptoms in subjects with vestibular migraine (VM). Materials and methods A non-controlled prospective cohort study of 20 adult English-speaking patients with a diagnosis of VM was undertaken at a single tertiary referral center. A virtual platform was used to administer an eight-week-long MBSR course with required reading materials and weekly 2.5-hour guided meditation and instructional sessions. Pre- and post-MBSR scores on the Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI), Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), VM Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory (VM-PATHI), Patient Reported Outcome Measure Information System (PROMIS) Global Physical and Mental Health Forms, and daily vertigo severity scores were collected. Results Twenty participants (100.0% female; 70.0% (n=14) White; with an average age of 46.7 years (SD 16.3), completed the study. The DHI, CFQ, PHQ-9, GAD-7, VM-PATHI, and PROMIS scores all improved significantly after MBSR treatment compared to prior to treatment (all questionnaires, p<0.01 except for CFQ; p=0.03). Mean daily vertigo scores did not change significantly over time in the 24-day lead-in period (adjusted r2 = 0.03; p=0.54) but decreased significantly over the eight-week MBSR treatment period (adjusted r2 = 0.32; p<0.001). Conclusions In this non-controlled, prospective pilot study, a MBSR program was highly effective for decreasing dizziness burden and improving measures of quality of life in subjects with VM. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted and forthcoming.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality65/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.30
Normalized Score0.67
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