Individualized homoeopathic medicines in treatment of chronic migraine: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot trial

Migraine is defined as ‘headache occurring on ≥15 days/month for > 3 months with features of migraine on ≥8 days/months. Presenting symptoms include throbbing pain either one-sided (usually) or bilateral, aggravated on least movement, associated with nausea, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to lights, noises, smell, lack of appetite, bowel disturbances and visual or sensory aura.  It is included among top 40 conditions, which cause worldwide disability and it produces 3.63 times greater disability. Recent studies showed about 8.4% of Indian population is suffering from chronic migraine. There was no study conducted in past 10 yrs in homoeopathy on migraine. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, 60 patients suffering from chronic migraine will be randomized to either individualized homoeopathic medicines (verum; n=30) or identical looking placebo (control; n=30). We aim to examine whether there are any differences in outcomes between these two groups over 3 months of intervention. Monthly migraine days (MMD) scores, Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS) scores and EQ-5D-5L scores will be used as the primary and secondary outcome measures respectively, measured at baeline and every month up to 3 months. Comparative analysis will be carried out to detect group differences, if any. Results will be published in scientific journals.