Mindfulness training does not reduce generalized hyperalgesia in chronic tension-type headache

The aim was to examine effects of mindfulness training on generalized hyperalgesia in chronic tension-type headache (CTH) sufferers. Method: Forty-three CTH sufferers participated in a randomized wait-list controlled trial of a mindfulness intervention for headache. Pressure and thermal (cold) pain detection thresholds, cold pain rating and tolerance, pericranial muscle tenderness, and conditioned pain modulation were assessed before and after intervention. Pain sensitivity was also measured in a sample of 56 healthy headache-free subjects and compared with the headache group. Results: Headache sufferers had increased pain sensitivity across multiple modalities and anatomical locations indicating generalized hyperalgesia. Repeated measures analysis of variance of the treatment vs wait-list data revealed no group or group x time effects for any pain sensitivity measure, although there were time effects indicating a reduction in muscle tenderness and cold pain sensitivity in treatment and wait-list control groups. Conclusions: Mindfulness training compared to a wait-list control condition does not reduce generalized hyperalgesia in CTH sufferers.