Migraine Prevention

Migraine prevention. A review of 19 randomised controlled trials covering over 3600 patients, shows acupuncture is more effective for migraine prevention than propranolol. The meta-analysis by authors at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, looked at trials in which acupuncture or propranolol was compared to sham acupuncture, placebo, waiting list control, or usual care. The analysis showed acupuncture had a significant advantage over the drug in reducing migraine frequency over a four week period. Acupuncture was also associated with fewer adverse events.

(Acupuncture versus propranolol in migraine prophylaxis: an indirect treatment comparison meta-analysis. Journal of Neurology, 21 August 2019.)

Acupuncture helps Migraine

Research from China: Exeter acupuncture helps migraine. A large Chinese systematic review concludes acupuncture helps migraine, with respect to both prevention and treatment. The meta-analysis included 62 trials covering over 4900 patients. Acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture, standard medication and no treatment. It was also associated with lower pain scores than medication, up to three months after treatment. Acupuncture also enhanced quality of life compared with medication.

Fourteen studies (over 1200 patients) demonstrated that acupuncture was associated with fewer adverse events compared with medication.

(The Effect of Acupuncture on the Quality of Life in Patients with Migraine: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 26 October 2018.)

Acupuncture and Headaches

Research from Brazil: acupuncture and headaches. A team in Brazil studying acupuncture and headaches, has shown in a small trial that acupuncture can improve the effect of drug treatment. A total of 34 female patients aged 18 to 60, attending the Federal University of Maranhão’s hospital clinic, were randomised to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture. The latter comprised non-insertive “needling”. Acupuncture was given twice a week for eight weeks. Both groups continued to take their prescribed pain medication.

Compared with the sham group, the true acupuncture group achieved significantly better control of their headaches in several respects, including number of headaches, pain intensity, quantity of medication used, and quality of life. The researchers conclude that acupuncture can be considered an auxiliary treatment for chronic headache.

(Effectiveness of acupuncture as auxiliary treatment on chronic headache. Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies, 27 July 2018.)

Acupuncture for Menstrual Migraine

Research from Canada: acupuncture for menstrual migraine. Canadian researchers undertaking a randomised pilot study of acupuncture for menstrual migraine, have shown that acupuncture and acupressure could be safe options for its prevention. Eighteen women aged 22 to 52, were allocated to one of three groups: true acupuncture, acupressure and control acupuncture (using acupuncture points which the team did not anticipate would have any effect on migraine). The study lasted seven months, plus a three month follow-up. Treatment was given three times per month for three months.

Both true acupuncture and acupressure were significantly more effective than control, in reducing the number of menstrual migraine days, as well as reducing peak pain. No significant differences were observed between groups during follow-up.

(Comparison of the Prophylactic Effect Between Acupuncture and Acupressure on Menstrual Migraine: Results of a Pilot Study. Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies, 11 April 2018.)

Acupuncture better for Migraine than Botox or Drugs

Acupuncture for chronic migraine. Acupuncture for chronic migraine is more effective and causes fewer side effects, than either botox or drugs, report Iranian researchers. A total of 150 patients (48 men & 102 women) were randomly allocated to receive a course of either acupuncture, botox injections or drug therapy (sodium valproate) for three months. Patients in the acupuncture group received 30 treatments in all.

During the study period, pain severity, migraine frequency and need for medication, decreased in all three groups, with the greatest reduction in the acupuncture group. Incidence and severity of side effects was also significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared with the botox group (eyelid droop or ptosis) and the sodium valproate group (weight gain, tremor, sleep disorders, hair loss). The authors conclude that all three therapies are effective but acupuncture may be the preferred method because of higher effectiveness and fewer side effects.

(Acupuncture and botulinum toxin A injection in the treatment of chronic migraine: A randomized controlled study. Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine, Summer 2017.)