Yoga-based movements to help people with migraine or cluster headache.

Yogabaserade övningar Som Kompletterande Behandling Vid migrän Och/Eller klusterhuvudvärk YOURHEAD - a Pilot Study

This pilot will test whether a web-delivered program of gentle yoga-based movements, breathing, and body-awareness exercises can reduce headache frequency and improve sleep and well-being in adults with chronic or high-frequency migraine or chronic cluster headache.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Huddinge)
• Trial ID: NCT07292090 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a pilot interventional program delivering low-intensity yoga-based movements and breathing/body-awareness exercises via web-based telehealth or face-to-face sessions. It enrolls adults 18–65 with diagnosed chronic/high-frequency migraine and/or chronic cluster headache who can perform gentle exercise and have internet access. Outcomes will focus on headache days and severity, sleep quality, and measures of mental well-being and functionality. The protocol is intended as an adjunctive, nonpharmacologic option alongside usual care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic or high-frequency migraine and/or chronic cluster headache who can perform low-intensity yoga movements and have internet access (or can attend Karolinska Huddinge).

Not a fit: People with uncontrolled cardiac disease, certain severe psychiatric disorders, inability to perform low-intensity exercise, lack of internet/Swedish language ability, or concurrent enrollment in other clinical trials may not benefit from or be eligible for this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a low-risk, remotely deliverable way to reduce headache burden and improve sleep and overall well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research on physical activity and relaxation, including some yoga trials, has shown mixed but promising benefits for migraine symptoms, while formal evidence for cluster headache is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed chronic migraine and/or cluster (Hortons) headache
* Men and women 18-65 years
* Diagnosed with chronic/high frequency migraine (≥15 headache days/month with at least ≥8 with migraine)
* Diagnosed with chronic cluster head ache (i.e shorter remission than 3 months per year), diagnosed according to ICHD-III criteria.
* Ability to perform yoga based moments and to give consent.
* Internet connection with computer/ipad/mobile to perform digitally/tele-health instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent or planned operations during the last 6 weeks
* Drug dependence, alcohol dependence, mental disorders as psychosis, bipolar disorder, anxiety as PTSD etc)
* Parallel enrollment in other clinical trails
* Unmedicated high blood pressure, heart disease as heart failure
* Non Swedish speaking
* Not able to perform low intensity exercise at home or FTF (face to face) - both online or live.
* Participants unsure to participate due to drug addiction or other causes
* Disorientation and not able to inform regarding other serious conditions

Where this trial is running

Huddinge

• Karolinska Institutet — Huddinge, Sweden (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Marian Papp, PhD

Conditions: Cluster Headache - Episodic and Chronic, Migraine Headache, Migraine Headache, With or Without Aura, Migraine in Adults, Migraine Headaches, Cluster Headaches and Other Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias, Migraine Disorder, yogabased exercises