Studying the efficacy of low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation in the acute treatment of migraine
- Conditions
- G43Migraine
- Registration Number
- DRKS00011878
- Brief Summary
Background: Low intensity, high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applied over the motor cortex decreases the amplitude of motor evoked potentials. This double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study aimed to test the efficacy of this method for acute management of migraines. Methods: The patients received either active (0.4 mA, 140 Hz) or sham stimulation for 15 min over the visual cortex with the number of terminated attacks two hours post-stimulation as the primary endpoint, as a home therapy option. They were advised to treat a maximum of five migraine attacks over the course of six weeks. Results: From forty patients, twenty-five completed the study, sixteen in the active and nine in the sham group with a total of 102 treated migraine attacks. The percentage of terminated migraine attacks not requiring acute rescue medication was significantly higher in the active (21.5%) than in the sham group (0%), and the perceived pain after active stimulation was significantly less for 2-4 h post-stimulation than after sham stimulation. Conclusion: tACS over the visual cortex has the potential to terminate migraine attacks. Nevertheless, the high drop-out rate due to compliance problems suggests that this method is impeded by its complexity and time-consuming setup.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Complete
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
Female and male patients (18-50 years) with migraine with or without aura and disease duration = 6 months (Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society, 2004).
significant chronic health disorders, diagnosed neuropsychiatric disorders, pregnancy or breast feeding, history of substance abuse or dependence, a history of neurological disorders other than migraine, an implanted pacemaker and cranial metallic hardware. age <18 or > 50 years.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method The primary endpoint of this study was the termination of the migraine attacks within two hours post stimulation.Patients were advised to document the degree of pain on a numerical analogue scale (NAS) with severity ratings ranging from 0 to 10 at onset of a migraine attack as well as 1 hour and 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours thereafter
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method no secondary endpoint