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MigraineNCT05466682

RELAXaHEAD for Headache Patients (Phase II)

A study testing Smartphone-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) in people with Migraine and Headache, run by NYU Langone Health at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this research is to assess the utility of smartphone-based progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for the treatment of migraine and sleep. While there are many commercially available electronic diary and mind-body intervention apps for headache, there is little data showing their efficacy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 80 years
Conditions the study is for
Migraine, Headache, Multiple Sclerosis
What is being tested?
Smartphone-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
48 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
9 Jun 2022to 19 Jun 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18-80 years (age 18-65 in urgent care);
  • Meets migraine criteria based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria;
  • Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score >5. 4+ headache days a month OR; meets chronic post- traumatic headache (PTH) criteria based on International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria, is 3-12 months post-injury, and there are 4+ headache days a month.
  • Scoring > or = 15 on the ISI.

Who cannot join

  • Patients who have had Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Biofeedback, or other Relaxation Therapy in the past year;
  • Cognitive deficit or other physical problem with the potential to interfere with behavioral therapy;
  • Alcohol or other substance abuse as determined by self-report or prior documentation in the medical record;
  • Opioid or barbiturate use 10+ days a month;
  • Unable or unwilling to follow a treatment program that relies on written and audio file materials;
  • Not having a smartphone.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • NYU Langone Health

    New York, New York, 10016

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: RELAXaHEAD for Headache Patients (Phase II): RELAXaHEAD for Migraine and Sleep

The goal of this research is to assess the utility of smartphone-based progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for the treatment of migraine and sleep. While there are many commercially available electronic diary and mind-body intervention apps for headache, there is little data showing their efficacy. RELAXaHEAD app incorporates the electronic PMR that was successfully used in an earlier epilepsy study and beta tested with headache specialist and migraine patient input. It also is an electric headache diary. The app has been studied and findings have been reported in multiple peer reviewed publications. Also, the app has been updated based on prior feedback from the studies. Now, this 2-arm randomized controlled study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of RELAXaHEAD for use with patients with migraine and comorbid insomnia. . One arm will be the RELAX group (the RELAXaHEAD app) and the other arm will be a monitored usual care (MUC) group (this group receives standard of care and uses the electronic daily symptom reporting diary). The goals are to assess the feasibility and adherence of the RELAX intervention in persons with migraine and insomnia (Aim 1) and to gather exploratory data on the effects of the RELAX intervention on headache and sleep related outcome measures (Aim 2).

Being tested
Smartphone-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR), Monitored Usual Care (MUC)
Keywords
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy, Migraine, Insomnia
Medical subject headings
Migraine Disorders, Headache, Multiple Sclerosis, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Smartphone-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR)Behavioural

    Relaxation technique delivered via RELAXaHEAD app.

  • Monitored Usual Care (MUC)Behavioural

    Standard of care plus daily symptom reporting using the RELAXaHEAD app electronic diary.

Study groups in NCT05466682
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
RELAXExperimentalPatients will receive Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) via the RELAXaHEAD smart-phone app. Patients will be asked to do the following: * Week 1: 5 min deep breathing at least 5/7 days of the week * Week 2: 5 min PMR session at least 5/7 days of the week * Week 3: 15 min PMR session at least 5/7 days of the week * Week 4: PMR at least 4 days a week * Week 5: PMR at least 3 days a week * Weeks 6-8: Use PMR when it is most helpful Patients will be asked to track headache frequency, intensity, sleep, and acute medication use on the app. They will also receive written educational material about migraine.
Receives: Behavioral: Smartphone-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR)
Monitored Usual Care (MUC)Active comparatorPatients will be given a general education session consisting of basic migraine information. They will receive the RELAXaHEAD app but the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) function will be blocked. Patients will be asked to track headache frequency, intensity, sleep, and acute medication use on the RELAXaHEAD app. They will also receive written educational material about migraine.
Receives: Behavioral: Monitored Usual Care (MUC)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Number of Patients Enrolled in the Study

    Measure of feasibility.

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Daily Diary Satisfaction Scores

    5-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with the daily dairy function of the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-20; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction.

    Measured: Baseline

  3. Daily Diary Satisfaction Scores

    5-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with the daily dairy function of the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-20; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction.

    Measured: Week 1

  4. Daily Diary Satisfaction Scores

    5-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with the daily dairy function of the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-20; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction.

    Measured: Month 1

  5. Daily Diary Satisfaction Scores

    5-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with the daily dairy function of the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-20; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction.

    Measured: Month 2

  6. Daily Diary Satisfaction Scores

    5-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with the daily dairy function of the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-20; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction.

    Measured: Month 3

  7. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) Satisfaction Scores Among RELAX Arm Participants

    4-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with PMR administered via the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-16; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction

    Measured: Baseline

  8. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) Satisfaction Scores Among RELAX Arm Participants

    4-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with PMR administered via the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-16; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction

    Measured: Week 1

  9. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) Satisfaction Scores Among RELAX Arm Participants

    4-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with PMR administered via the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-16; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction

    Measured: Month 1

  10. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) Satisfaction Scores Among RELAX Arm Participants

    4-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with PMR administered via the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-16; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction

    Measured: Month 2

  11. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) Satisfaction Scores Among RELAX Arm Participants

    4-item self-assessment measuring satisfaction with PMR administered via the RELAXaHEAD app. Items are ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, where: 0 = Strongly Disagree; 1 = Disagree; 2 = Neither Agree nor Disagree; 3 = Agree; and 4 = Strongly Agree.

    The total score is the sum of responses. Scores range from 0-16; higher scores indicate higher levels of satisfaction

    Measured: Month 3

  12. Number of Days RELAX Arm Participants Performed Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) at Least 5 Minutes/Day

    Calculated using the backend analytics in the RELAXaHEAD app. Measure of feasibility.

    Measured: Up to Month 3

  13. Number of Days Participants Used Diary

    Calculated using the backend analytics in the RELAXaHEAD app. Measure of feasibility.

    Measured: Up to Month 3

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Jul 2022
  2. Study start9 Jun 2022
  3. Primary completion19 Dec 2022
  4. Study completion19 Jun 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Investigator
Enrolment
48 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05466682
Sponsor's protocol ID
17-00525-2
Status last verified
Jan 2024
First submitted
18 Jul 2022
Last updated
10 Jan 2024
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The de-identified participant data from the final research dataset used in the published manuscript will be shared upon reasonable request beginning 9 months and ending 36 months following article publication or as required by a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research provided the investigator who proposes to use the data executes a data use agreement with NYU Langone Health. Requests may be directed to Dr. Minen (PI). The protocol and statistical analysis plan will be made available on Clinicaltrials.gov only as required by federal regulation or as a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research.

Publications

  • Minen MT, George A, Bostic R, Fanning K, Bubu OM. The association between insomnia and migraine disability and quality of life: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Pain Med. 2026 Apr 1;27(4):426-433. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaf149.

    PubMed 41206664

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Smartphone-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (PMR) in people with Migraine and Headache, run by NYU Langone Health at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Jan 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 10 Jan 2024). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Number of Patients Enrolled in the Study (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 13 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05466682, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Jan 2024.

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