Integrating Acupuncture Into the Management of Migraines
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Migraine Headaches |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 3/30/2013 |
| Start Date: | July 2011 |
| End Date: | July 2012 |
| Contact: | Patricia Miller, LAc, PT |
| Email: | tricia@serenityacu.com |
| Phone: | 7088484626 |
Integrating Acupuncture Into the Management of Migraines: A Randomized, Comparative Trial
This research is being done to study the effect of incorporating acupuncture into the
management of migraines. The primary aim is to determine in a randomized, controlled study
whether individuals experiencing migraines have fewer occurrences and less intense migraines
when acupuncture is integrated with nonprescription pharmacological treatment.
Nonprescription pharmacological treatment in this study refers to the use of the following
over the counter medications: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Acetaminophen (with or without
caffeine). Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen are members of a class of drugs known as
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.
70 men and women between the ages of 18-65 diagnosed with migraines by a medical doctor.
Participants must be using only nonprescription medication to treat their head pain.
Once initial eligibility has been determined and informed consent obtained, a Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) differential diagnosis will be carried out to determine the
underlying cause of the migraines experienced by the participant. If the migraines are due
to Liver Qi stagnation with Liver Yang rising they will be eligible for participation in the
study. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1 will
continue taking their current nonprescription migraine medication as needed and will receive
acupuncture once a week for 8 weeks. Group 2 will continue with their current
nonprescription migraine medication as needed but will not receive acupuncture. The same set
of predetermined acupuncture points will be used at each session.
All participants will complete a daily headache and medication use diary for four weeks on
two separate occasions. In addition all participants will complete the Headache Impact Test
(HIT-6) survey on three separate occasions.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Migraine with or without aura according to the International Headache Society
classification and diagnosed by a Medical Doctor.
- Subjects are required to have between 2 and 12 migraines but no more than 15 headache
days (migraine or nonmigraine) per 28 days during the prospective baseline phase. A
headache day is defined as a calendar day during which the patient experienced
headache for at least 30 minutes.
- Taking a nonprescription medication for the migraine pain. More specifically Aspirin,
Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and/or Acetaminophen (with or without caffeine).
- Age between 18 and 65 years.
- A history of migraine for at least 12 months.
- Completed at least 75% of the baseline headache diary.
- Completion of written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Onset of headache disorder less than 12 months prior to age 50.
- Pregnancy or planning to get pregnant while participating in the study.
- Malignancy; cluster headache (IHS code 3); sinus headaches.
- Suspicion that headache disorder has specific etiology (IHS code 5-11); cranial
neuralgias (IHS code12)
- Acupuncture treatment in the previous 12 months.
- Taking a prescription medication for the migraine pain.
- Subject plans to receive acupuncture for another medical condition while
participating in the study.
- Systemic disorder or illness, including serious psychiatric illness.
- Failure to fulfill baseline information.
- Failure to provide written informed consent.
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