Using high-flow oxygen therapy for migraine relief in the emergency department

Migraine and High Flow Oxygenotherapy at the Emergency Department

Phase 4 Interventional Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice · NCT04925414

This study is testing if high-flow oxygen therapy can help people in the emergency department feel better during a migraine attack and reduce their time spent in the ER.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice Academic / other
Locations1 site (Nice)
Trial IDNCT04925414 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of high-flow oxygen therapy on patients experiencing migraine attacks in the emergency department. It aims to determine whether normobaric oxygen can alleviate migraine symptoms, potentially reducing the need for conventional analgesics and shortening emergency room stays. The study is designed as a multicenter, prospective, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, comparing the efficacy of oxygen therapy against a placebo. Participants will be monitored for improvements in their migraine symptoms and overall experience during treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are experiencing a migraine attack and are admitted to the emergency department.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD or those who have recently used specific migraine medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a safer and more effective treatment option for migraine sufferers, reducing reliance on traditional pain medications.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of high-flow oxygen therapy has been validated for cluster headaches, its application for migraines is novel and has not been extensively tested in previous studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years old or more
* Affiliated to a french public health insurance
* ED admission for migraine evocative headache, regarding ICHD3 criterions
* written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* COPD or other chronic respiratory failure conditions
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women or women of childbearing potential not using any means of contraception. A pregnancy test will be performed for women of childbearing age. The results will be communicated to the patient by a doctor of her choice.
* Under legal protection
* Patients who have received treatment with triptan in the past 2 weeks
* Patients who have consumed NSAIDs in the hour before the doctor's examination
* State of migraine headache (crippling attack for more than 72 hours)

Where this trial is running

Nice

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Migraine
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.