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Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation in the Treatment of Migraine Headaches

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Migraine
Interventions
Device: Cranial Electrostimulator
Device: Sham Device
Registration Number
NCT01265797
Lead Sponsor
University of Toledo Health Science Campus
Brief Summary

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) may be a safe adjunct to medical treatment for pain relief in migraine patients. However, despite the number of CES studies done, many have been open label, single blinded, or have utilized a small group of patients.

Detailed Description

This study will evaluate the efficacy of the Fisher Wallace Cranial Stimulator in persons with chronic migraine who have not achieved satisfactory pain control on their current medications.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
68
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subjects satisfying the IHS (International Headache Society) criteria for migraine
  • Subjects have not achieved satisfactory pain control on their current medication
  • Ability to maintain a daily headache diary
  • Stable medication use related to migraine for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment in the study
Exclusion Criteria
  • Previous exposure to or experience with cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES)
  • Contraindications to Fisher Wallace stimulator, such as cardiac pacemakers or implantable defibrillators, known or suspected heart disease, or pregnancy
  • Seizure disorders

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cranial ElectrostimulatorCranial Electrostimulatorwears active cranial electrostimulation device for 20 minutes daily for 28 days
Sham deviceSham Devicewears sham device for 20 minutes daily for 28 days
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean Headache Days28 day period during run-in month and blinded month

Mean change in headache days between 28 day run-in month and 28 day blinded month, i.e. run-in month mean minus blinded month mean. A good response is \>= 50% reduction in headache days (congruent with the Guidelines for Trial of Behavioral Treatments for Recurrent Headache).

Depression Score (PATIENT HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE [PHQ] 9)14 days recall; measured at end of run-in month and blinded month

Mean difference of PHQ-9 score between the run-in month and blinded month, i.e. PHQ-9 score from run-in month minus blinded month. The PHQ-9 is a tool for assisting in diagnosing depression (over the prior 2 week period) as well as selecting and monitoring treatment. There are nine items, with responses each ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), for a total range of 0 to 27. The higher the total the more severe the depressive symptoms.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Headache Days28 day period in run-in month and open label month

Mean change in headache days between 28 day run-in month and 28 day open label month, i.e. run-in month mean minus open label month mean. A good response is \>= 50% reduction in headache days (congruent with the Guidelines for Trial of Behavioral Treatments for Recurrent Headache).

Depression Score (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)14 day recall, recorded at the end of run-in and open label months

Mean difference of PHQ-9 score between the run-in month and open label month, i.e. PHQ-9 score from run-in month minus open label month. The PHQ-9 is a tool for assisting in diagnosing depression (over the prior 2 week period) as well as selecting and monitoring treatment. There are nine items, with responses each ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), for a total range of 0 to 27. The higher the total the more severe the depressive symptoms.

Headache Impact Test-6after run-in month, after blinded month

Mean difference in HIT-6 score between run-in month and blinded month. The HIT-6 is a tool for screening and monitoring change in headache disability. This disease-specific health survey is intended for adults 18 years of age and older, and is available with a standard four-week recall period. It is a 6 item questionnaire with scores for each item ranging from 6 (never) to 13 (always). The minimum overall score is 36 and the maximum is 78. Higher scores represent greater disability.

Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) (Measure of Disability Due to Headaches)28 day period in run-in month and open label month

Mean difference in HIT-6 score between run-in month and open label month. The HIT-6 is a tool for screening and monitoring change in headache disability. This disease-specific health survey is intended for adults 18 years of age and older, and is available with a standard four-week recall period. It is a 6 item questionnaire with scores for each item ranging from 6 (never) to 13 (always). The minimum overall score is 36 and the maximum is 78. Higher scores represent greater disability.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Score (GAD 7)14 day recall, recorded at the end of run-in and open label months

Mean difference in GAD 7 score between run-in month and open label month. This is a screening tool and severity measure for generalized anxiety disorder addressing symptoms over the prior 2 weeks. It is a 7 item questionnaire with response scores for each item ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (every day). The range for the total score is 0 to 21, with higher scores representing greater symptoms of anxiety

Epworth Sleepiness Scale ScoreScore recorded at the end of run-in and open label month

Mean difference of Epworth Sleepiness Scale score between run-in month and open label month. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is used to measure excessive daytime sleepiness. This is an 8 item questionnaire, recalling probability of falling asleep in "recent times". The subjects are asked to rate probability of falling asleep in eight different situations. The score for each item ranges from 0 (would never doze) to 3 (high chance of dozing), with the overall score range of 0 to 24. Higher scores represent higher probability of falling asleep.

Somatic Symptom Severity (Patient Health Questionnaire 15)28 days recall; measured at end of run-in month and blinded month

Mean difference in PHQ 15 score between run-in month and blinded month. The PHQ-15 comprises 15 somatic symptoms experienced over the prior 4 weeks and their severity, each symptom scored from 0 ("not bothered at all") to 2 ("bothered a lot"). The range for the overall score is between 0 and 30, with higher score representing more severe somatic symptoms

Somatic Symptom Score (Patient Health Questionnaire-15)28 day period in run-in month and open label month

Mean difference in PHQ 15 score between run-in month and open label month. The PHQ-15 comprises 15 somatic symptoms experienced over the prior 4 weeks and their severity, each symptom scored from 0 ("not bothered at all") to 2 ("bothered a lot"). The range for the overall score is between 0 and 30, with higher score representing more severe somatic symptoms.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Toledo, Health Science Campus

🇺🇸

Toledo, Ohio, United States

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