Biofeedback control of migraine: a pilot study.

A group of six subjects was trained, using biofeedback procedures, in the voluntary regulation of hand temperature as a means of controlling migraine attacks. The training procedure and its relationship to migraine activity is described. Daily records of migraine activity were kept during base-line, training, and follow-up periods. Analysis of this data revealed statistically and clinically significant improvement on several indices of migraine activity. Evidence for a concomitant improvement in the ability of subjects to produce voluntary increases in hand temperature is presented.