No Access

The Efficacy of Kiko Exercises on the Prevention of Migraine Headaches: A Pilot Study

Family Medicine Health Science Center, State University of New York, Clinical Campus, Binghamton, NY, USA

Correspondence to: Dr. Victor Elinoff, Regional Clinical Research, Inc., 409 Hooper Road, Endwell, NY 13760, USA Tel: (+1) 607-754-4081, Fax: (+1) 607-754-7530.

Search for more papers by this author

Steven Jay Lynn

Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Hidy Ochiai

Hidy Ochiai Karate, Vestal, NY, USA

Search for more papers by this author

, and

Michael Hallquist

Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA

Search for more papers by this author

https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X09006977Cited by:10 (Source: Crossref)

Abstract

Migraine headaches, a common chronic medical problem, require prophylactic treatment when they are frequent and severe. This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of Kiko, a Japanese practice of Qigong that uses repetitive coordinated breathing and movement as a prophylactic treatment of migraine headaches. This pilot study, a single arm, non-randomized 4-month trial, investigated whether 3 months of Kiko training would reduce the severity and/or frequency of migraine and/or MIDAS scores. The baseline migraine data were collected from participants in the first month and then participants were taught Kiko exercises in 3 monthly sessions. Participants practiced at home and had the opportunity to utilize a Kiko DVD. The participants were instructed by Washin-Ryu style martial arts Master, Hidy Ochiai. Subjects completed monthly diaries that recorded the frequency and severity of their migraines, as well as the frequency and duration of their home Kiko practice. Six of the original 13 subjects completed the trial. All the individuals who completed the study had measurable improvement in their migraines. All participants reported a positive experience in learning the technique, and there were no reported adverse effects. Although the results of this study need to be confirmed in a larger clinical trial with adequate controls for placebo effects, these preliminary results are consistent with other trials that have documented the potential benefits of mind-body practices in controlling symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic medical illness.

Keywords:

References

T. Abo and T. Kawamura, Ther. Apher. 6(5), 348 (2002). Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar
F. Andrasik, Neurol. Sci 24, S80 (2003). Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
M. G. Buzzi and M. A. Moskowitz, J. Headache Pain 6, 105 (2005), DOI: 10.1007/s10194-005-0165-2. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
G. Jacobs, J. Altern. Complement. Med. 7(1), S93 (2001), DOI: 10.1089/107555301753393850. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
R. Jahnke, The Healing Promise of Qi (McGraw-Hill, New York, 2002) pp. 244–245. Google Scholar
T. Kaptchuk, The Web That Has No Weaver (Congdon Weed, Illinois, 1983) pp. 35–36. Google Scholar
M. Lemstra, B. Stewart and W. P. Olszynski, Headache 42(9), 845 (2002), DOI: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2002.02202.x. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
S. Lin, J. Altern. Complement. Med. 10, 200 (2004). Google Scholar
R. B. Liptonet al., Headache 41(7), 646 (2001), DOI: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2001.041007646.x. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
D. R. Nyholtet al., Hum. Mol. Gen. 7(3), 459 (1998), DOI: 10.1093/hmg/7.3.459. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
J. Olesen, Rev. Neurol. (Paris) 161, 689 (2005). Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
J. Osterhaus, D. L. Gutterman and J. R. Planchetka, Pharmacoeconomics 2 (1992) pp. 67–76. Google Scholar
Qigong Institute Database, www.qigonginstitute.org . Google Scholar
K. Sancier, J. Altern. Complement. Med. 10(1), 163 (2004), DOI: 10.1089/107555304322849084. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
C. P. Schreiber, Disease a Month 52, 385 (2006), DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2006.09.003. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
S. Silberstein , R. Lipton and P. Goadsby , Headache in Clinical Practice ( ISIS Medical Media , Oxford, UK , 1998 ) . Google Scholar
F. A. Silvaet al., Headache 47(1), 45 (2007), DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00532.x. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
, Development and testing Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire to assess headache-related disability W. Stewart et al. . Google Scholar
P. Tfelt-Hansenet al., Cephalalgia 20, 765 (2000). Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
P. H. Van der Kuy and J. J. Lohman, Cephalalgia 22(4), 265 (2002), DOI: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00363.x. Crossref, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar
S. D. Wilson, Qi Gong for Beginners (Sterling Publishing, New York, 1997) pp. 5–16. Google Scholar