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Nociception specific supraorbital nerve stimulation may prevent cluster headache attacks: serendipity in a blink
Danielle Y P Haane1, Peter J Koehler2
1Department of Neurology, Atrium Medical Centre, The Netherlands dhaane@hotmail.com.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|March 12, 2014
Summary
Transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation may offer prophylactic benefits for cluster headache. This non-invasive neuromodulation approach showed promising results in a case series, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Cluster headache treatment often involves neuromodulation for patients unresponsive to pharmacologic prophylaxis.
- Non-invasive peripheral neuromodulation methods are gaining attention.
- Focus is on nociception-specific, transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential prophylactic effect of transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation.
- To explore a novel non-invasive neuromodulatory approach for cluster headache.
Main Methods:
- A study utilizing the nociception-specific blink reflex led to the discovery.
- Bilateral, time-contingent, nociception-specific, transcutaneous stimulation of the supraorbital nerve was employed.
Main Results:
- A case series of seven cluster headache patients was reported.
- Attacks appeared to cease during repeated supraorbital nerve stimulation.
- Three patients remained attack-free since the study's commencement.
Conclusions:
- Bilateral, time-contingent, nociception-specific, transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation may provide prophylaxis for episodic and chronic cluster headache.
- This non-invasive approach has limited side effects.
- Further research is recommended to validate this peripheral neuromodulatory strategy for cluster headache.
