Carotid sinus massage with head-down (Trendelenburg) positioning for headache relief
Official title: Effectiveness of Carotid Sinus Massage in Modified Trendelenburg Position for Acute Headache Episodes: A Pilot Study
Run by Hospital Municipal Pedro T. Orellana · NCT06745648 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether carotid sinus massage while lying with your head lower than your feet can relieve migraine or tension-type headaches that started within the last 24 hours.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 16 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 18 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Hospital Municipal Pedro T. Orellana Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Trenque Lauquen, Buenos Aires) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 21, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2025 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | June 15, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06745648 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are people aged 16 or older with a diagnosis of migraine, tension-type, or mixed headache per ICHD-3 whose current headache began within the past 24 hours and who have no contraindications to carotid massage or the Trendelenburg position.
✕Probably not a fit
People with contraindications to carotid sinus massage (for example carotid bruits, recent MI, prior stroke, suspected carotid stenosis) or to Trendelenburg positioning (for example increased intracranial pressure, respiratory distress, heart failure, history of syncope or cardiac arrhythmia) and those with headaches older than 24 hours are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
An initial open-label pilot of 17 participants showed feasibility and preliminary safety and efficacy for carotid sinus massage combined with the Trendelenburg position. The planned phase is a randomized, sham-controlled, parallel-arm trial enrolling 18 participants (9 per arm) to compare active CSM+Trendelenburg versus a sham procedure for acute headache relief. The design targets headache episodes that began within the prior 24 hours and follows standard exclusion criteria for carotid massage and head-down positioning. Outcomes will focus on symptom relief and safety with statistical power set at 80% and α = 0.05.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, non-drug bedside maneuver for rapid relief of acute migraine or tension-type headache.
How similar studies have gone: A small open-label pilot (n=17) published as a medRxiv preprint reported feasibility, safety, and promising preliminary benefit, but randomized sham-controlled evidence is not yet available.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Participants must be at least 16 years of age. * Must have a diagnosis of one of the following, according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3): * Migraine * Tension-type headache * Mixed headache * The headache episode must have started within the past 24 hours. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Any contraindication to carotid sinus massage, including: * Carotid bruits * Recent myocardial infarction * History of stroke * Known or suspected carotid artery stenosis * Any contraindication to the Trendelenburg position, including: * Increased intracranial pressure * Respiratory distress * Congestive heart failure * History of syncope * History of cardiac arrhythmias
Where it's running
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Hospital Pedro T.Orellana, Trenque Lauquen
Trenque Lauquen, Buenos Aires, Argentina Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pablo D Anaya, MD — Hospital Municipal Pedro T. Orellana
- Study coordinator: Heberto J Suarez-Roca, MD, PhD
- Email: heberto.suarez.roca@duke.edu
- Phone: +1 (919) 6815688
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.