See if the Doraldo-Castelletti scale helps decide if migraine patients should see a physiotherapist
Official title: Multicenter Interventional Study for the Evaluation of the Performance of the Doraldo-Castelletti Scale in Supporting the Neurologist's Decision to Refer Migraine Patients to Physiotherapy (MIGSKA)
Run by Istituto Auxologico Italiano · NCT07626307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether a brief cervical screening scale can help neurologists decide which migraine patients might benefit from physiotherapy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 439 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Istituto Auxologico Italiano Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Milan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 20, 2025 |
| Main results expected | October 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | October 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07626307 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults 18–70 with physician-diagnosed migraine, HIT-6 ≥ 42, and the ability to consent and comply with procedures.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with contraindicating conditions or who have already received targeted headache physiotherapy may not benefit from this screening approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The MIGSKA study investigates whether the Doraldo-Castelletti scale can reliably indicate clinical need for physiotherapy among adults with migraine. Participants are adults aged 18–70 with migraine and a HIT-6 score of 42 or higher, seen at a neurology/ headache center. The trial uses an interventional design to apply the scale and observe its connection to referral decisions to rehabilitation. The goal is to bridge neurology and physical therapy by providing a rapid screening tool that supports referral decisions. No pharmacologic interventions are being tested; the focus is on screen-based decision support in routine care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the scale could streamline referrals to physiotherapy, potentially reducing migraine burden and improving functional outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports the usefulness of physical therapy in migraine care and the value of validated screening tools, though this exact scale and referral approach is novel in this context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 70 years (inclusive) * Diagnosis of migraine established by a neurologist specialized in headache disorders * Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) ≥ 42 * Ability to understand the study informed consent * Signed informed consent * Ability to comply with the study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Neurological diseases confounding the primary objective * Conditions confounding the primary objective (e.g., fibromyalgia, which could limit patient evaluation by the physiotherapist) * Previous physiotherapy treatments specifically for headache management * Psychiatric disorders confounding and/or interfering with the primary objective * Unstable psychiatric illness, cognitive impairment, dementia, or substance abuse compromising the participant's ability to provide informed consent, according to the investigator's judgment * Previous neurosurgical interventions involving the cervical region * Any condition deemed contraindicating study participation according to the investigator's judgment
Where it's running
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Istituto Auxologico Italiano
Milan, Italy Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alberto Doretti, MD
- Email: a.doretti@auxologico.it
- Phone: +39-0261911
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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.