Using laser acupuncture to help prevent chronic migraines
Enhancing Chronic Migraine Preventive Therapy: Laser Acupuncture as an Add-On Treatment for Patients With Unsatisfactory Pharmacological Effect, a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
NA · Taichung Veterans General Hospital · NCT06219694
This study is testing if laser acupuncture can help people with chronic migraines have fewer headache days and feel better overall.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Taichung Veterans General Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Taichung, Xitun District) |
| Trial ID | NCT06219694 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the efficacy and safety of laser acupuncture as an add-on preventive therapy for chronic migraine patients. Participants aged over 20 with a history of chronic migraines will be randomly assigned to receive either laser acupuncture or a sham treatment. The study will evaluate changes in monthly migraine days, medication usage, and psychological assessments over a six-month period, followed by an additional three months for the sham group after receiving the treatment. The goal is to determine if laser acupuncture can effectively reduce migraine frequency and improve overall patient well-being.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 20 years old with chronic migraines who have not found relief from current pharmacological treatments.
Not a fit: Patients who have received laser acupuncture or traditional acupuncture prior to the study may not benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a non-invasive option for chronic migraine prevention, potentially reducing reliance on pharmacological interventions.
How similar studies have performed: While acupuncture has been established as a treatment for migraines, the specific efficacy of laser acupuncture remains inconclusive, making this approach somewhat novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * patients aged above 20 years old and had CM managed pharmacologically, including preventive and/or acute migraine medications, and in addition, those who had refused preventive agent despite recommendation of the neurologist; * patients who had unsatisfactory effect of current pharmacological treatments, defined as they self-reported * patients who had a minimum of one-year history of migraine with or without aura. Exclusion Criteria: * patients who had received another LA therapy or traditional acupuncture at baseline * migraine onset after the age of 50 * cognitive or psychological impairment interfering with the participant's ability to receive LA protocol and describe symptoms * patients with missing data at baseline or during the follow-up period.
Where this trial is running
Taichung, Xitun District
- Taichung Veterans General Hospital — Taichung, Xitun District, Taiwan (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: ChiSheng Wang, M.D
- Email: sam7227632@gmail.com
- Phone: +886933375721
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.
Conditions: Chronic Migraine, Migraine, laser acupuncture, Prevention