Aerobic Exercise and Its Impact on Sensory, Musculoskeletal, and Psychosocial Aspects in Migraine

Summary

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.

Conditions

• 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

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Supervised Aerobic Exercise plus Pain Neuroscience Education

This intervention consists of a supervised aerobic exercise program combined with a single session of pain neuroscience education. Aerobic exercise will be performed on a treadmill three times per week for 16 weeks, with intensity individually prescribed based on heart rate reserve. Pain neuroscience education will be delivered in one structured session at the beginning of the intervention, focusing on migraine mechanisms, central sensitization, and the benefits of safe movement.

BEHAVIORAL

Physical Activity Recommendations

Participants will receive general recommendations to increase physical activity levels, consisting of either achieving 10,000 steps per day or completing at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week for 16 weeks. No supervision, structured education, or motivational strategies will be provided.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sao Paulo

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

48 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-03

Primary Completion

2028-11-30

Completion

2028-11-30

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations