Abstract

The present study explored three issues: a) the EMG biofeedback effect on muscle tension headache subjects when the intermediated effect-therapist's demand effect, relaxation effect-are withdrawn. b) frontalis muscle EMG activity's specificity on EMG biofeedback therapy effect. c) the relationship between trait·anxiety factor and biofeedback treatment on tension headache. To treat these problems, four groups were employed. Three of these groups received biofeedback treatment The first of these biofeedback groups received EMG biofeedback designed to teach subjects to decrease frontalismuscle tension. But the second group received to increase and the third group to no change. The fourth were not treated any way. Only, they record their headache diary and respond to trait-anxiety test The results suggested that the learned reduction of frontalis EMG activity was very effective in the biofeedback treatment of tension headache. But increase and no change were ineffective. The relationship between EMG activity and headache was not manifest, the correlation coefficients changed from .67 to -.17.