The effect of body awareness therapy on pain and body image in patients with migraine and tension type headache

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of body awareness therapy (BAT) on pain and body image in patients with tension-type headache and migraine. Twenty eight patients were included in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical features of the patients were recorded. Visual Analogue Scale and Body Image Questionnaire was used in order to evaluate severity of pain and body image, respectively. After initial assessments, the patients received BAT for 6 weeks each being 60 min in 3 sessions every week. Patients were re-evaluated at the end of 6 weeks of intervention. There was no relation between severity of pain and body image, occupation, participation to physical activity, use of analgesic and existence of headache. The results of the study showed that BAT is an alternative treatment method that can be securely used in order to decrease pain in patients with chronic headache and to increase body image.

Keywords:

• Body awareness therapy
• chronic headache
• pain
• body image