Effects of Online Mindfulness Therapy on Pain and Stress in Adults With Chronic Migraine and Adverse Childhood Experiences

NCT ID: NCT07033520

Last Updated: 2025-06-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-07-01

Study Completion Date

2025-11-20

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program in reducing pain, stress-related symptoms, and improving functionality in adults with chronic migraine and a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Participants will be randomly assigned to either the MBCT intervention group or a control group. The intervention is delivered entirely online over eight weeks. The study hypothesizes that MBCT will result in significant improvements in pain perception and stress-related symptoms compared to the control condition.

Detailed Description

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This clinical trial investigates the effects of an eight-week Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program on adults diagnosed with chronic migraine who also report a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The study follows a randomized controlled design with two parallel arms: an intervention group receiving MBCT and a control group on a waitlist. Participants in the MBCT group will engage in weekly online sessions, guided meditation exercises, and cognitive restructuring tasks.

The primary hypothesis is that MBCT will significantly reduce self-reported pain intensity and stress-related symptoms, as well as improve functional impact related to headache, compared to the control group. Assessment tools include validated scales such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) to assess headache-related disability and functionality.

Data will be collected at three time points: baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), and follow-up (3 months after completion). The sample will consist of approximately 60 participants, recruited from the International Hospital of Colombia (IHC) and through digital outreach.

This study is classified as minimal risk and has received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia. The intervention is delivered entirely online to ensure accessibility and will not interfere with participants' ongoing neurological treatment plans.

Conditions

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Chronic Migraine Adverse Childhood Experiences Depression Anxiety Headache Disorders

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This study follows a parallel assignment model with two arms: an intervention group receiving an 8-week online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program, and a waitlist control group receiving no intervention during the study period. Participants are randomly assigned to each group and assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. The design allows for comparison of outcomes between the two independent groups.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Caregivers
Participants and their treating neurologists (care providers) are blinded to the allocation group. Group assignment is concealed through coded identifiers, and only the study coordination team has access to the randomization list. All interactions and assessments are conducted without revealing group allocation to ensure unbiased clinical management and participant experience.

Study Groups

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group

Participants in this group will receive an 8-week online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) intervention. The program includes weekly virtual sessions, guided meditations, and cognitive behavioral strategies aimed at reducing pain and stress-related symptoms in individuals with chronic migraine and adverse childhood experiences.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consists of an 8-week Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program for adults with chronic migraine and adverse childhood experiences. Participants attend one 90-minute virtual group session per week via video conferencing, led by a trained therapist. Daily home practice is encouraged, including 20-30 minutes of guided mindfulness exercises provided as audio files. The program includes cognitive restructuring, body scans, breathing awareness, and acceptance-based techniques. The intervention is fully remote and requires no in-person contact.

Control Group

Participants in this group will not receive any intervention during the study period but will continue with their usual care. After study completion, they will be offered the opportunity to participate in the MBCT program.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

The intervention consists of an 8-week Online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program for adults with chronic migraine and adverse childhood experiences. Participants attend one 90-minute virtual group session per week via video conferencing, led by a trained therapist. Daily home practice is encouraged, including 20-30 minutes of guided mindfulness exercises provided as audio files. The program includes cognitive restructuring, body scans, breathing awareness, and acceptance-based techniques. The intervention is fully remote and requires no in-person contact.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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MBCT Online

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Male and female patients aged 18 years or older with a diagnosis of chronic migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), based on diagnostic criteria updated through 2018.
* Willingness to participate in online sessions from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the scheduled day of the intervention.
* Male and female patients with a score of 4 or higher on the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire.
* Patients who provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

* Visual, auditory, cognitive, or functional limitations that prevent understanding of therapeutic activities or the ability to perform home tasks.
* Presence of systemic inflammatory disorders, including rheumatic and autoimmune diseases.
* Active malignancy.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding at the time of the study.
* Pre-existing neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, metabolic diseases, among others).
* Central nervous system tumors.
* Diagnosis of terminal illnesses that prevent follow-up over time.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Universidad de Santander

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Elkin Rene Llanez Anaya, MD, Psychiatrist.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Universidad de Santander

Locations

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International Hospital of Colombia - Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia

Bucaramanga, Santander Department, Colombia

Site Status

Countries

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Colombia

Central Contacts

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Valentina Gonzalez Galindo, MD, Family Medicine Resident

Role: CONTACT

6796470 ext. 4905

Alexander Pabon Moreno, MD, Neurologist

Role: CONTACT

6796470 ext. 4905

Facility Contacts

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Alexander Pabon Moreno, MD, Neurologist

Role: primary

PBX: 6796470 ext. 4905

References

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Roque-Lopez S, Llanez-Anaya E, Alvarez-Lopez MJ, Everts M, Fernandez D, Davidson RJ, Kaliman P. Mental health benefits of a 1-week intensive multimodal group program for adolescents with multiple adverse childhood experiences. Child Abuse Negl. 2021 Dec;122:105349. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105349. Epub 2021 Oct 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34628152 (View on PubMed)

Kaliman P, Cosin-Tomas M, Madrid A, Roque Lopez S, Llanez-Anaya E, Papale LA, Alisch RS, Davidson RJ. Epigenetic impact of a 1-week intensive multimodal group program for adolescents with multiple adverse childhood experiences. Sci Rep. 2022 Oct 20;12(1):17177. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-21246-9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36266402 (View on PubMed)

Webster EM. The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health and Development in Young Children. Glob Pediatr Health. 2022 Feb 26;9:2333794X221078708. doi: 10.1177/2333794X221078708. eCollection 2022.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35237713 (View on PubMed)

Anto M, Jaffee S, Tietjen G, Mendizabal A, Szperka C. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Frequent Headache by Adolescent Self-Report. Pediatr Neurol. 2021 Aug;121:51-55. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.04.004. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34147819 (View on PubMed)

Steiner TJ, Stovner LJ, Birbeck GL. Migraine: the seventh disabler. J Headache Pain. 2013 Jan 10;14(1):1. doi: 10.1186/1129-2377-14-1. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23566305 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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CEI-2025-09350

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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