University of Sao Paulo
Amanda Rodrigues
Migraine is a neurological disorder associated with high levels of disability and changes in sensory processing, musculoskeletal function, and psychosocial factors. Aerobic exercise is a low-cost, non-pharmacological strategy that has shown potential benefits for migraine management, but its effects on sensory perception and musculoskeletal function are not yet fully understood. This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effects of a supervised aerobic exercise program combined with pain neuroscience education compared with an active control condition in women aged 18 to 48 years diagnosed with migraine. Participants will be randomly allocated to either an intervention group, which will perform supervised aerobic exercise three times per week for 16 weeks and receive one session of pain neuroscience education, or a control group, which will receive recommendations for unsupervised physical activity at home. Outcomes related to migraine-related disability, self-reported symptoms, sensory sensitivity, and musculoskeletal function will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period. Questionnaires will also be collected at a 6-month follow-up. The results of this study may contribute to the development of accessible and low-risk non-pharmacological treatment strategies for people with migraine.
Migraine
Migraine Disease
Migraine Disorder
Migraine Disorders, Brain
Headache
Headache (Migraine)
Headache Disorders
Headache Disorders, Primary
Aerobic Exercise
Pain Management
Sensory Disorders
Psychosocial Factors
Quality of Life
Supervised Aerobic Exercise plus Pain Neuroscience Education
Physical Activity Recommendations
NA
Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by sensory dysfunction, musculoskeletal alterations, and psychosocial impairments, often resulting in substantial disability. Although aerobic exercise and pain neuroscience education are recognized as promising non-pharmacological approaches for migraine management, their combined effects on sensory, musculoskeletal, and self-reported outcomes remain insufficiently explored. This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of a supervised aerobic exercise program combined with pain neuroscience education compared with an active control condition in women with migraine. A total of 100 participants aged 18 to 48 years with a diagnosis of migraine will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will participate in supervised aerobic exercise sessions performed three times per week for 16 weeks, with exercise intensity individually prescribed based on cardiovascular assessment, and will receive structured pain neuroscience education. The control group will receive recommendations for physical activity to be performed at home without supervision during the same period. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and immediately after the 16-week intervention period. A follow-up assessment at 6 months will include self-reported outcome measures only. Primary and secondary outcomes include migraine-related disability, self-reported symptoms, quality of life, psychosocial factors, sensory sensitivity, and musculoskeletal function, assessed using validated questionnaires and physical tests. The findings of this trial are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of aerobic exercise combined with pain neuroscience education as a low-risk, accessible treatment strategy for individuals with migraine and to improve understanding of the sensory and musculoskeletal mechanisms involved in this condition.
| Study Type : | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Estimated Enrollment : | 100 participants |
| Masking : | SINGLE |
| Primary Purpose : | TREATMENT |
| Official Title : | Influence of Aerobic Exercise on Sensory Perception, Musculoskeletal and Psychosocial Alterations in Patients With Migraine |
| Actual Study Start Date : | 2026-03-03 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date : | 2028-11 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date : | 2028-11-30 |
Information not available for Arms and Intervention/treatment
| Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 48 Years |
| Sexes Eligible for Study: | FEMALE |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: |
Want to participate in this study, select a site at your convenience, send yourself email to get contact details and prescreening steps.
RECRUITING
Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP)
Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, 14049-900