Comparison of Two Different Migraine Acupuncture Treatment
Condition: Migraine
MeSH terms: Migraine Disorders
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Headache is one of the most common clinical problems. Conventional drug therapy is more
      successful when complementary and integrative medicine approaches are combined to
      conventional treatment, as traditional Chinese medicine (TKM).

      The success of acupuncture therapy depends on the selection of acupuncture points according
      to TKM pathological mechanisms. Correct selection of points are needed to treat migraine
      headaches.Acupuncture reduces the consumption of analgesics.

      In this prospective, randomised study we will compered two methods of acupuncture
      stimulation: in the control group, all patients will receive the same local points, commonly
      used to treat migraine in our department, in the study group, local points will be selected
      according to the site of the headache.
    

Detailed description: 
      Headache is one of the most common clinical problems. It is a subjective symptom that can be
      associated with many other syndromes. Conventional drug therapy is often effective in
      reducing of acute headache and also in the frequency and intensity of chronic headaches.
      However, the treatment is even more successful when complementary and integrative medicine
      approaches are combined to conventional treatment. The most commonly used method is
      traditional Chinese medicine (TKM).

      Although acupuncture has been a key component of TKM for more than 2500 years, the mechanism
      of action is still not fully understood. Acupuncture needles probably stimulates the delta
      fibers, and thus the pain stimulus does not occur to the talamus. Acupuncture increases the
      activity of the opioidergic system by releasing serotonin, dopamine, neurotrophines and
      nitric oxide, which are effective in treating chronic pain and migraines. Acupuncture has
      been recognised by the WHO as a method for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. The
      success of acupuncture therapy depends on the selection of acupuncture points according to
      TKM pathological mechanisms. Correct selection of points are needed to treat migraine
      headaches. Local, regional and distal points are used. Acupuncture reduces the consumption of
      analgesics.

      The research will be conducted in the clinical Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive
      Care Therapy in University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Patients with migraine headaches will be
      included in the study. The quality of life after treatment, drug consumption, satisfaction
      and well-being will be monitored. The research will determine if targeted acupuncture
      stimulation regard to the location of headache reduces the frequency and severity of
      migraines compared to the established treatment method, thus reducing the number diabled
      days. The added value of the research is monitoring the quality of life after completed
      treatment, drug consumption and in satisfaction and well-being of the patient.

      PROTOCOL

      60 patients with migraine will be included in this prospective, randomised study, scheduled
      for acupuncture stimulation. Two methods of acupuncture stimulation will be compared. In all
      patients, DU 20 point and the same distal points will be used.

      • ALL PATIENTS: DU 20 local points: Ex 1 distal points: LI 4, St 36, Liv 2

      In the control group, all patients will receive the same local points, commonly used to treat
      migraine in our department.

      • CONTROL GROUP: localn points: UB 2; GB 14, 16, 20 distal points: PC 6, SJ 5

      In the study group, local points will be selected according to the site of the headache.
    

Intervention name(s): acupuncture
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Acupuncture points are punctured with needles.
Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Patients with migrain