Effectiveness of yoga therapy for migraine: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

Introduction: The efficacy of yoga therapy for migraine remains controversial. We conduct this meta-analysis to explore the influence of yoga therapy on the treatment efficacy of migraine. Methods: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases through February 2021, and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of yoga therapy for migraine attack. Results: Five RCTs involving 356 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for migraine, yoga therapy was associated with substantially reduced headache frequency headache frequency (SMD =-1.43; 95% CI =-2.23 to-0.64; P = 0.0004) and HIT-6 score (SMD =-2.19; 95% CI =-4.09 to-0.28; P = 0.02), but revealed no obvious influence on pain intensity (SMD =-1.37; 95% CI =-2.76 to 0.01; P = 0.05) or McGill Pain Questionnaire (SMD =-2.09; 95% CI =-6.39 to 2.22; P = 0.34). Conclusions: Yoga therapy may benefit to reduce the headache frequency of migraine patients.