Yeshiva University’s Ground-Breaking Clinical Trial Shows Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Reduces Migraine-Related Disability

Yeshiva University’s Ground-Breaking Clinical Trial Shows Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Reduces Migraine-Related Disability

““The use of mindfulness-based treatments can change the way patients respond to pain by making it more tolerable and by making it easier to engage in meaningful activities despite symptoms, alleviating headache-related disability,” says Dr. Elizabeth Seng, Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Associate Professor. “This study shows that mindfulness-based techniques are a promising emerging treatment for reducing migraine-related pain and helping migraine sufferers.””
Mindfulness-based therapy consisting of meditation training and mindfulness exercises can provide significant relief for people suffering from migraine disease, according to a recent clinical trial conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Seng, Associate Professor of Psychology at Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Dr. Seng was chosen by the leaders in the field of neurology and honored by the American Neurological Association with a 2022 Poster Award for excellence in the field.

For her work on the MBCT-M study, Dr. Seng was honored by the American Neurological Association with a 2022 Poster Award; winners are chosen by the leaders in the field of neurology for excellence in the field. During the Phase 2b pilot Randomized Clinical Trail, participants who received an eight-week course of individual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Migraine (MBCT-M), versus those who received “treatment as usual,” experienced a significant reduction in symptoms and frequency of attacks. The six-month follow-up showed that participants continued to experience large reductions in headache disability.

This award-winning research is just one of many successes being generated at Yeshiva University. Graduate school enrollment has increased by over 60% since 2016, with Dr. Seng’s work being an exemplar of the important research being conducted in YU’s graduate schools. YU has raised over $350 million since launching Rise Up: The Campaign for 613, including $100 million this year alone. And YU is the #3 university in all of New York City, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Migraine is a common neurologic disease estimated to affect over a billion people worldwide. Disproportionately affecting women, ages 15-49 years of age, migraine is characterized by unpredictable episodic attacks of potentially debilitating neurological symptoms.

MBCT can be used in conjunction with other behavioral treatments for migraine, including cognitive-behavioral therapies, relaxation, and biofeedback, which have demonstrated efficacy to reduce stress—commonly thought to trigger migraine attacks—and migraine attack frequency.

“This cutting-edge study using MBCT on migraine showed a marked reduction in pain and frequency in monthly symptoms, which continued long after the trial ended,” noted Dr. Leslie F. Halpern, Dean of the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. “This is a promising emerging treatment for addressing migraine-related disability and bringing relief to migraine sufferers—a perfect example of the kind of research Ferkauf supports and encourages, enhancing the quality of day-to-day life for real people.”

For more information regarding the Ferkauf School of Psychology, visit www.yu.edu/ferkauf.

About Yeshiva University

As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University is animated by its five core Torah values: Seek Truth (Torat Emet), Live Your Values (Torat Chaim), Discover Your Potential (Torat Adam), Act With Compassion (Torat Chesed) and Bring Redemption (Torat Zion). Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University brings together the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life and the heritage of Western civilization. More than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students’ study at YU’s four New York City campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU’s three undergraduate schools – Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, and Sy Syms School of Business – offer a unique dual program comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate and affiliate schools include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, the Katz School of Science and Health and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is ranked among the nation’s leading academic institutions.

Media Contact
Company Name: CATHY CALLEGARI PUBLIC RELATIONS INC
Contact Person: Cathy Callegari
Email: Send Email
Phone: 212-579-1370
Address:159 Madison Avenue, Apt. 5J
City: New York
State: NY
Country: United States
Website: callprinc.com