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Oxygen treatment for cluster headache attacks at different flow rates: a double-blind, randomized, crossover study
Thijs H T Dirkx1, Danielle Y P Haane2, Peter J Koehler2
1Department of Neurology, Zuyderland Medical Center Heerlen, PO Box 4446, 6401, CX, Heerlen, The Netherlands. thijsdirkx@hotmail.com.
The Journal of Headache and Pain
|October 12, 2018
Summary
This study found no significant difference in cluster headache treatment effectiveness between 7 L/min and 12 L/min oxygen flow rates. While more patients preferred 12 L/min, 7 L/min resulted in more pain-free individuals, suggesting a personalized approach may be best.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Cluster headache attacks are often treated with oxygen therapy.
- Previous studies indicate effectiveness of oxygen at both 7 L/min and 12 L/min flow rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of 100% oxygen at 7 L/min versus 12 L/min for treating cluster headache attacks.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, crossover study involving oxygen-naïve cluster headache patients.
- Patients treated attacks with oxygen at 7 L/min and 12 L/min.
- Primary outcome: percentage of pain-free attacks after 15 minutes within the first two days; secondary outcomes included patient preference and pain reduction.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in the primary outcome between the two flow rates (p=0.180).
- More patients reported being pain-free with 7 L/min oxygen (p=0.039), but patients tended to prefer 12 L/min (p=0.005).
- No significant differences in side effects or other secondary outcome measures were observed.
Conclusions:
- Lack of evidence supports a difference in effectiveness between 7 L/min and 12 L/min oxygen for cluster headaches.
- While 7 L/min led to more pain-free patients, 12 L/min was preferred. Treatments were equally safe.
- Consider starting with 7 L/min and switching to 12 L/min if ineffective for potential cost-effectiveness.
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