RELAXaHEAD: Remote relaxation program for migraine in primary care

RELAXaHEAD: A Behavioral Approach to Remote Migraine Management in Primary Care

NIH-funded research New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10888345

This project offers a smartphone app that teaches relaxation and mind-body techniques to people with migraine who get care from primary care providers.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10888345 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would use a smartphone app called RELAXaHEAD that delivers progressive muscle relaxation and other mind-body techniques tailored for migraine. The team is building on prior pilot work and publications and will expand delivery through primary care using fully remote methods. The program aims to overcome barriers like time, cost, and limited provider availability by letting you practice from home on your own schedule. Researchers will monitor your headache symptoms, app usage, and healthcare visits to see if the app eases migraine burden and improves access to care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with migraine who receive care in primary care settings and who can use a smartphone (particularly Android) are the best candidates.

Not a fit: People without smartphones, those who require specialized neurologic or procedural treatments for refractory migraine, or those who prefer only in-person therapies may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lower migraine frequency and disability while making effective mind-body treatments easier and less costly to access.

How similar studies have performed: Earlier RELAXaHEAD pilot studies enrolled over 300 patients and produced publications showing feasibility and promising results.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.