Evidence Hub

Beneficial Effects of Kiatsu™ with Ki Training on Episodic Migraine: An Exploratory Study

Tabata CY, Copenhaver PF, McCartney S, Vazinkhoo S, Copperman T

Pain research & management, 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an exploratory study of KiatsuTM with Ki training as a potential therapy for treating episodic migraine in women.

BACKGROUND: Current therapies for migraine have proven partially effective, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options. In preparation for development of a randomized controlled study, the authors conducted a single arm pilot exploratory study to evaluate the effect of Kiatsu with Ki training in adult females with episodic migraine.

METHODS: Study subjects established a baseline migraine frequency over 4 weeks. During the following 4 weeks, each subject received instruction in Ki training (to improve concentration, balance, and relaxation), accompanied by Kiatsu (a focused touch method that reduces tension, swelling, and pain). Subjects then participated in one session a month for additional 6 months. The initial session was 1 hour; subsequent sessions averaged 30 minutes. Subjects documented migraine frequency, migraine-specific quality of life scores, and medication use.

RESULT: Sixty-nine subjects met the study inclusion criteria, and 21 completed the study. Subjects reported a significant reduction in migraine frequency after 1 month (from 7.2 to 3.8 migraines/month; p < 0.05), with an overall 53% reduction at 6 months (p < 0.001). Significant improvements in quality of life (QoL) were reported after 1 month, with continued improvements until study completion (p < 0.0001). A moderate reduction in medication use was also…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free