Tai Chi for preventing episodic migraines in women
A Randomized Controlled Trail to Examine the Efficacy of Tai Chi for the Prophylaxis of Episodic Migraine Compared With Standard Prophylactic Medication in Chinese Women and a Pre-post Neuroimaging and Laboratory-based Study to Explore the Mechanism of Tai Chi's Intervention Effect
This study is testing if a 24-week Tai Chi program can help women with episodic migraines feel better compared to standard medication.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 220 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hong Kong, HONG KONG and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05690737 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study examines the effectiveness of a 24-week Tai Chi training program compared to standard prophylactic medication for women with episodic migraines in Hong Kong. A total of 220 participants will be randomly assigned to either the Tai Chi group or the medication group, with outcomes measured at baseline, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks. The study will assess changes in migraine frequency, intensity, and related quality of life, while also exploring the underlying mechanisms through neurovascular and inflammatory markers. The goal is to determine the clinical efficacy of Tai Chi as a non-pharmacological intervention for migraine prevention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Chinese women aged 18-65 with a clinical diagnosis of episodic migraine and specific migraine characteristics.
Not a fit: Patients with severe migraine attacks that prevent them from performing moderate physical activity or those with secondary headaches will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-pharmacological option for women suffering from episodic migraines, potentially reducing reliance on medication.
How similar studies have performed: While Tai Chi has been explored in various contexts, this specific approach to migraine prophylaxis is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Chinese woman, aged 18-65 years. * Have a clinical diagnosis of episodic migraine (migraine with less than 15 attacks per month) with or without aura according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3). * First migraine attack before the age of 45 years. * Between two and six migraine attacks in one month. * At least one of the following migraine characteristics is met: nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or phonophobia. * Duration of migraine attacks is 2-72 h without acute medication or at least 1 h with acute medication. * Able to undertake designated level of Tai Chi exercise. * Live in Hong Kong. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe migraine attacks with disabilities that cannot perform moderate intensity physical activity. * Secondary headache and other neurological disease. * More than 5 days of non-migrainous headache per month. * Experience with Tai Chi or other body-mind exercises (yoga, biofeedback, medication, etc.) after diagnosis of migraine. * Undergoing other alternative therapeutic treatments during recruitment period, or received other alternative therapeutic treatments in the past 12 weeks. * Pregnancy, lactation period, or currently using contraceptives. * Use of pharmacological prophylactic treatment for migraine in the past 12 weeks. * Drug abuse, take antipsychotic or antidepressant drugs, or take analgesics for other chronic pain more than 3 days a month in the past 12 weeks. * Epilepsy, or have a psychiatric disease.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong, HONG KONG and 1 other locations
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hung Hom, Hong Kong (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yao Jie Xie, PhD — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Study coordinator: Yao Jie Xie, PhD
- Email: grace.yj.xie@polyu.edu.hk
- Phone: 3400 3798
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.