TY - GEN AU - Joris Lemmens A2 - Joris Lemmens A2 - Joke De Pauw A2 - Timia Van Soom A2 - Sarah Michiels A2 - Jan Versijpt A2 - Eric van Breda A2 - René Castien A2 - Willem De Hertogh DB - BISp DP - BISp LA - eng PB - BMC TI - The effect of aerobic exercise on the number of migraine days, duration and pain intensity in migraine: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis PY - 2019 N2 - Abstract Background In patients with frequent migraine, prophylactic treatments are used. Patients often request non-pharmacological alternatives. One treatment option can be aerobic exercise. The value of aerobic exercise as prophylactic treatment however needs to be determined. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the result of aerobic exercise on the number of migraine days, duration and pain intensity in patients with migraine. After screening three online databases, PubMed, Cochrane library and Web of Science, using predefined in- and exclusion criteria, six studies were retained. Pooling of data was performed when possible. Results Significant reductions in the number of migraine days after aerobic exercise treatment were found with a mean reduction of 0.6 ± 0.3 migraine days/month. Other outcomes were too variable to pool due to heterogeneity of outcome measurements. Unpooled data revealed small to moderate reductions in attack duration (20–27%) and pain intensity (20–54%) after aerobic exercise intervention. Various exercise intensities are applied. Conclusion There is moderate quality evidence that in patients with migraine aerobic exercise therapy can decrease the number of migraine days. No conclusion for pain intensity or duration of attacks can be drawn. Effect sizes are small due to a lack of uniformity. For future studies, we recommend standardized outcome measures and sufficiently intense training programs. Trial registration CRD42018091178. ID - ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:557549d5b9764886aacc84a2618cea5a ER -