The effect of aerobic exercise on the number of migraine days, duration and pain intensity in migraine: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Joris Lemmens, Joke De Pauw, Timia Van Soom, Sarah Michiels, Jan Versijpt, Eric van Breda, René Castien, Willem De Hertogh, Joris Lemmens, Joke De Pauw, Timia Van Soom, Sarah Michiels, Jan Versijpt, Eric van Breda, René Castien, Willem De Hertogh

Abstract

Background: In patients with frequent migraine, prophylactic treatments are used. Patients often request non-pharmacological alternatives. One treatment option can be aerobic exercise. The value of aerobic exercise as prophylactic treatment however needs to be determined.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the result of aerobic exercise on the number of migraine days, duration and pain intensity in patients with migraine. After screening three online databases, PubMed, Cochrane library and Web of Science, using predefined in- and exclusion criteria, six studies were retained. Pooling of data was performed when possible.

Results: Significant reductions in the number of migraine days after aerobic exercise treatment were found with a mean reduction of 0.6 ± 0.3 migraine days/month. Other outcomes were too variable to pool due to heterogeneity of outcome measurements. Unpooled data revealed small to moderate reductions in attack duration (20-27%) and pain intensity (20-54%) after aerobic exercise intervention. Various exercise intensities are applied.

Conclusion: There is moderate quality evidence that in patients with migraine aerobic exercise therapy can decrease the number of migraine days. No conclusion for pain intensity or duration of attacks can be drawn. Effect sizes are small due to a lack of uniformity. For future studies, we recommend standardized outcome measures and sufficiently intense training programs.

Trial registration: CRD42018091178 .

Keywords: Exercise; Headache; Headache characteristics; Migraine; Physical therapy; Treatment.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Risk of bias summary: review authors’ judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study (Risk of Bias scale)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Risk of bias graph: review authors’ judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies (Risk of Bias scale)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Flow chart of study selection
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Pooled data comparing intervention and control group on the number of migraine days (days/month)

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Source: PubMed

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