Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

A Novel Scalp Acupuncture-based Method to Target the Hand Motor Hotspot for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation
Published on: December 19, 2025
External hand warming as a novel treatment for ice pick headaches: a controlled case study
Kristi L Hofstadter-Duke1, Keith D Allen
1Department of Pediatric Psychology, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, 68198-5450, USA.
Abstract:
Primary stabbing headache (PSH) or ice pick headache is an infrequently studied, yet socially important problem facing children and adolescents. The current study examined the effects of routine external hand warming on the PSH intensity of a 16-year-old male referred for management of recurrent headaches. The participant, Michael, alternated periods of non-warming with periods of daily external hand warming, and an ABAB design was used to evaluate the impact of hand warming on PSH intensity. Results indicate that clinically significant symptom reduction was obtained with implementation of external hand warming.

