Medical hypnosis for migraine management: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Migraine, a highly prevalent and disabling condition affecting over one billion people worldwide, poses significant socio-economic challenges, including reduced quality of life, impaired mental health, and decreased productivity. While pharmacological treatments exist, their limitations drive interest in complementary approaches such as medical hypnosis, proven effective in chronic pain management. This systematic review, registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024509302), evaluates the scientific evidence supporting hypnosis for migraine treatment. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Reviews, and PsycINFO. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled or quasi-experimental studies on adult migraine sufferers using hypnosis as a standalone intervention. RESULTS: Nine studies involving 406 participants were analyzed, though a meta-analysis was precluded by the heterogeneity of study designs, populations, and outcome measures. Control conditions varied, including standard care and medication, while outcomes assessed ranged from migraine frequency and severity to psychological factors and medication use. The included studies employed two primary hypnosis techniques: to enhance internal resources and mental imagery, with some combining both. Results consistently demonstrated hypnosis's effectiveness in reducing migraine symptoms, often outperforming other non-pharmacological interventions with fewer resources required. However, significant methodological limitations were noted, including inadequate sample descriptions and lack of statistical power calculations. DISCUSSION: This review underscores the potential of hypnosis in migraine management but highlights the need for rigorous research to address methodological gaps and refine intervention strategies. Recommendations for future studies are proposed, as further studies are needed to fill methodological gaps and deepen understanding of its role in migraine management.