Migraine sufferers frequently have a sensitivity to sound, either during an attack or in the lead-up to one. In such instances, many people find that reducing or eliminating background noise helps alleviate migraine symptoms. Still, this isn’t guaranteed to happen in every case. Sound therapy is becoming increasingly popular as a means of migraine prevention and treatment. This article examines the research behind the use of music therapy and binaural beats in the treatment of migraines.
Is it possible for music therapy to relieve headaches or migraines?
Migraine sufferers may find musical relief. There isn’t enough evidence to back up this conclusion, though. After listening to music every day for three months, approximately half of the 20 adults in a study of episodic migraine in 2021 reported significantly fewer migraine attacks.
According to research conducted in 2013 using a Trusted Source sample of children and adolescents suffering from migraines, music therapy can reduce headache frequency by roughly 20%. However, this 20% decrease was the same as that shown in the placebo group of the trial.
The efficacy of music therapy for reducing anxiety has been extensively studied. The results of these investigations have shown consistent positive effects. As stress is believed to be a trigger for as many as 70% of patients with migraine, these results may be of interest.
What kinds of music help alleviate a migraine?
The therapy program for individuals with migraines in the aforementioned trial relied on instrumental music such as classical, jazz, and world music. These results suggest that instrumental music may be an effective tool for achieving deep states of relaxation. Pieces with tempos between 40 and 80 beats per minute and fewer instrumental voices should be considered. A trained music therapist can help you figure out what works best for your ears.
To alleviate migraine symptoms, what are binaural beats and how do they work?
An auditory illusion known as binaural beats can develop when the brain simultaneously perceives two sounds that are slightly out of sync with one another in terms of frequency. The brain generates a third tone, which is referred to as the binaural beat, in an attempt to settle the disparities between the two sounds. It is a representation of the distinction between the two actual tones.
When it comes to relieving migraine symptoms, how effective are binaural beats?
The use of binaural beats in the treatment of migraines, much like the use of music therapy, has not been thoroughly researched. The findings of a study that was conducted in 2019 and involved 21 people who suffer from migraines were published. Every night for three months, participants were instructed to listen to music that contained binaural beats.
The typical number of headache days that a person had each month was 14.9. At the conclusion of the trial period of three months, the average number of headache days experienced during each month was 13.3. Nine of the participants experienced a reduction of at least 30 percent in the number of headache days they experienced each month.
Is it possible that binaural beats make migraines even worse?
There hasn’t been enough study on the effects of binaural beats on migraine sufferers to draw any firm conclusions about their safety. Two trial participants reported worsening migraine symptoms following binaural beat treatment.
Alterations to the typical pattern of brain waves may be associated with a variety of additional medical issues. Focus issues may result from an overabundance of the brain waves delta and theta. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been found to exhibit unusually high levels of theta activity. Depression has been linked to low alpha activity.
There is a growing interest in sound therapy for the alleviation of migraines; nevertheless, there is insufficient study on the topic. Music therapy and binaural beats both have the potential to be beneficial to certain individuals. However, the development of listening criteria requires additional research.
If you are interested in exploring novel methods to manage the discomfort of migraines, the members of your healthcare team can assist you in determining which options are most suitable for you.