Amitriptyline and aerobic exercise or amitriptyline alone in the treatment of chronic migraine: a randomized comparative study

Abstract

To compare the preventive treatment benefits of amitriptyline and aerobic exercise or amitriptyline alone in patients with chronic migraine. Method: Sixty patients, both genders, aged between 18 and 50 years, with a diagnosis of chronic migraine, were randomized in groups called amitriptyline and aerobic exercise or amitriptyline alone. The following parameters were evaluated: headache frequency, intensity and duration of headache, days of the analgesic medication use, body mass index (BMI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores. Results: In the evaluated parameters, was observed decrease in headache frequency (p=0.001), moderate intensity (p=0.048), in headache duration (p=0.001), the body mass index (p=0.001), Beck Depression Inventory (p=0.001) and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores (p=0.001), when groups were compared in the end of third month. Conclusion: In this study, the amitriptyline was an effective treatment for chronic migraine, but its efficacy was increased when combined with aerobic exercise.

Pediatric Post‐Traumatic Headache and Implications for Return to Sport: A Narrative Review

“…Additionally, exercise has been shown to be either additive (amitriptyline) or non‐inferior (topiramate) to pharmaceuticals in the management of migraine . 129,130 Regular exercise and physical fitness may also positively improve an athlete's mood, stress level, and sleep.…”

Has aerobic exercise effect on pain perception in persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain? A randomized, controlled, clinical trial

“…Supra-threshold pressure pain increased well-being, which is a known effect of physical activity (Garber et al, 2011). Previous randomized controlled trials investigating the long-term effect of aerobic exercise have found a decrease in migraine pain intensity (Dittrich et al, 2008;Varkey et al, 2011;Santiago et al, 2014). However, none of these studies have investigated the effect on pain mechanisms which make comparison of results difficult.…”

“…Physical activity has positive effects on health and well-being (Garber et al, 2011) and has recently been found to reduce migraine burden (Krøll et al, 2018). It has shown positive effects on migraine frequency, pain intensity, pain duration (Koseoglu et al, 2003;Dittrich et al, 2008;Darabaneanu et al, 2011;Varkey et al, 2011;Overath et al, 2014;Santiago et al, 2014) and quality of life (Narin et al, 2003;Dittrich et al, 2008;Varkey et al, 2009). However, the mode of action of physical activity in migraine with regards to pain mechanisms is unknown.…”

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society on the treatment of chronic migraine

“…One RCT comparing isolated amitriptyline versus amitriptyline associated with aerobic exercise three times a week in the management of chronic migraine showed a greater reduction in the frequency of headache days in the combined approach group 122 .…”