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Heartmath Migraine Study

A Pilot Single-center Randomized Controlled Study of the Effects of Smartphone Based Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in People With Migraine

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04077658
Enrollment
52
Registered
2019-09-04
Start date
2019-06-16
Completion date
2020-01-16
Last updated
2020-08-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Migraine

Keywords

HeartMath app, Inner Balance Sensor

Brief summary

This is a two arm study comparing smartphone based heart rate variability biofeedback using the HeartMath app and InnerBalance sensor to waitlist control on migraine quality of life.

Detailed description

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether there is any superiority between an 8-week program of app based HRV biofeedback (HeartMath) compared to wait list control in migraine quality of life. Investigators will also look: * To determine whether there is any superiority between an 8-week program of app based HRV biofeedback (HeartMath) and wait list control in depression in people with migraine. * To determine whether there is any superiority between an 8-week program of app based HRV biofeedback (HeartMath) and wait list control in anxiety in people with migraine. * To determine whether there is any superiority between an 8-week program of app based HRV biofeedback (HeartMath) and wait list control in insomnia in people with migraine.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALHeartMath

HeartMath is a program where individuals learn heart rate variability biofeedback. Essentially, they learn breathing exercises that reduce their heart rate. The HeartMath program will be administered via an application on the smartphone and ear monitor.

BEHAVIORALWaitlist Control

Standard of Care Migraine Treatment

Sponsors

NYU Langone Health
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Randomized controlled trial with intervention arm and waitlist control arm

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) 3 criteria for migraine * 4-20 headache days/month * Has not done behavioral therapy for migraine in the past year * Has a smartphone and willing to try HRV biofeedback using an app and ear monitor * English speaking * HS graduate or higher level of education * Patients must not make preventive medication changes for the course of the study. If patients just changed their preventive medication, they must wait a month before enrolling.

Exclusion criteria

* Doing any form of behavioral therapy for pain in the past year

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To determine whether there is any superiority between an 8-week program of app based HRV biofeedback (HeartMath) compared to wait list control in migraine quality of life8 WeeksMeasured by comparing the slope of reduction in MSQv2 scores

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in depression8 WeeksMeasured using slope in reduction of Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. Average scores of 5-9: Mild; 10\*-14:Moderate; \>15:Severe
Change in anxiety8 WeeksMeasured using slope of reduction in eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8), The PHQ-8 uses a 4-point Likert scale to assess depressive symptoms. The score range is 0 to 27. Scores 5-9 indicate mild symptoms, 10-14 moderate, and ≥20 severe depressive symptoms.
Change insomnia8 WeeksMeasured using slope of reduction in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The ISI is a 7-item questionnaire assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia. The dimensions evaluated are: severity of sleep onset, sleep maintenance, early morning awakening problems; sleep dissatisfaction; interference of sleep problem with daytime functioning; noticeability of sleep problems by others; and distress caused by the sleep difficulties. A 5-point Likert scale (0-4) is used to rate each item, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28. The total score is interpreted as follows: absence of insomnia (0-7); sub-threshold insomnia (8-14); moderate insomnia (15-21); and severe insomnia (22-28).

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026