@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2014;20(3):133-138

Background
… [1-7] Most of the medications used in facing severe migraine attacks result in more headaches [8]. Due to long residence and no side effects, sports might be more effective ways in treatment or prevention of migraine than chemical medications. There is a reverse correlation between physical activities and migraine and headache indices [10].
Previous Studies
There are fewer headaches, especially migraine headaches, in athletes than other persons [11-14]. Due to more increase in the maximum oxygen consumption, sports, as non-medication ways, can be efficient in migraine treatment than other treatments [15]. Of students with migraine, those who have regular physical activities had fewer disabilities than those without physical activities [10]. Aerobic exercises reduce monthly headache repetition in patients with migraine [16-18]. The results of different studies contradict each other. Many studies have been planned as 3 days per week and with moderate to low intensity [10, 15]. To increase maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) is one of the goals of the aerobic exercises and it requires more than 1 session per week exercises [19].
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 8-week exercise course with high intensity on migraine indices in patients with migraine.
Research type
This is a semi-experimental study with one-group pretest-posttest plan.
Research society, place and time
Patients with migraine from Noorabad City (Iran) were studied in 2013.
Sampling method and number
12 male patients with migraine, who had no activity, were selected, using convenience sampling method. Inclusion criteria were no heart diseases, diabetes, blood pressure, and regular physical activities.
Used devices&materials
Study length was 16 weeks. Migraine headache indices including number of attacks, intensity, and headache length were assessed for 4 weeks, using daily headache record questionnaire [20]. 48 hours before exercise program, body factors including height, BMI, and fat percent and persons’ aerobic endurance were assessed, using level 1 YO-YO Aerobic Test [21, 22]. Fat percent was assessed, using Caliper (JAMAR; South Korea) and Jackson and Pollock’s Skin-fold Measurement method [23]. The cases participated in severe aerobic practices for 8 weeks and with 14-16 intensity in Borg’s RPE scale (which is equal to 70-89% of maximum heart rate and 60-84% of VO2max [24]). 40-45 minutes practices (including 10min heat and 10min cooling) were performed 2 times per week (Table 1). 8 persons reached the end of the planned exercises. Body indices and aerobic endurance of the participants were re-assessed 48 hours after the last session. And 4 weeks after the sessions, migraine headache indices were re-assessed. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess normal distribution of data. Data was analyzed, using SPSS 19 software and Dependent-T test.
Findings by Text
Mean age, mean height, and mean weight of the participants were 34.1±12.3years, 170.8±9.1cm, and 68.3±10.9kg, respectively. Severe aerobic exercies significantly reduced migraine headache indices including number of attacks, attack intensity, and headache length, as well as aerobic fitness improvement. Fat percent (1.49%) significantly decreased (Table 2).
Main comparison to the similar studies
There were positive and significant changes in migraine headache indices such as intensity, length, and headache repetition after high-intensity 8-week aerobic exercises. Aerobic endurance of the participants was improved. Fat percent was reduced. The changes showed effectiveness of 8-week exercise course. Persons performing aerobic exercises may react to some stimuli such as exercise pressure that is efficient in migraine indices improvement [24, 25]. Any reduction in migraine attack repetition is only due to increase in the exercise intensity or length as it can increase blood pressure and heart rate [26]. There is no significant migraine attack intensity [16, 26, 27]. 40-85% VO2max exercises have not resulted in migraine attack intensity reduction [27]. 60-75% VO2max exercises have not resulted in migraine attack intensity reduction [26]. 6-week exercises (two 45-min sessions per week) are too poor to reach physical fitness improvement [27]. Nevertheless, 8-week exercises (two 45-min sessions) reduced migraine headache repetition. 10-week aerobic exercises (3 sessions per week and 45-60% VO2max ) with 50 minutes exercise protocol (10min heat, 10min cooling, and 30min main exercise) do not reduce migraine attack repetition [26]. There are similar results about aerobic exercise efficiency in patients with migraine [10, 15]. … [28-31]
Suggestions
Studies with more participants and groups should be done to generalize the results.
Limitations
Small sample size was one of the limitations for the present study.
Conclusions
8-week high intensity aerobic exercise can reduce migraine headache indices (number of attacks, intensity, and headache length). And it can be suggested as non-medical treatment to patients with migraine.
Acknowledgments
The researches appreciate the participants.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
All stages were approved by Kermanshah Razi University.
Funding Sources
No organization funded the research.

TABLES and CHARTS

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