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Rebound following oxygen therapy in cluster headache
Rianne Pj Geerlings1, Danielle Yp Haane, Peter J Koehler
1Atrium Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|June 25, 2011
Summary
Cluster headache attacks may rapidly return after oxygen therapy, a phenomenon known as the rebound effect. This study defines and investigates this effect, finding it shortens attack duration and increases frequency.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Headache Medicine
Background:
- The 'rebound effect' describes rapid cluster headache recurrence after oxygen therapy, first noted in 1981.
- This phenomenon has been understudied, lacking a precise definition and investigation.
- This study aimed to define and explore the rebound effect in cluster headache patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and investigate the cluster headache rebound effect following oxygen therapy.
- To quantify the impact of the rebound effect on attack recurrence and frequency.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of cluster headache study databases.
- Defined the rebound effect as a more rapid than usual recurrent cluster headache attack after oxygen therapy relief, or increased attack frequency per 24 hours.
- Reviewed data from eight patients experiencing rebound cluster headache.
Main Results:
- The rebound effect occurred after 87.5% of oxygen-treated attacks in the studied patients.
- Oxygen therapy led to an average reduction of 894 minutes until the next cluster headache attack.
- Patients experienced an average increase of 1.6 cluster headache attacks per day while using oxygen therapy.
Conclusions:
- The rebound effect following oxygen therapy for cluster headaches is rarely reported, possibly due to improved oxygen application techniques or underreporting.
- Current data, including this case series, do not elucidate the mechanism of the rebound effect.
- Further research using the proposed definition is recommended to better understand this phenomenon.
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