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Published on: June 2, 2014
Pain Management Using Acupuncture Method in Migraine Headache Patients; A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial
Shervin Farahmand1, Sara Shafazand1, Ehsan Alinia2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Acupuncture showed no significant long-term effect on reducing migraine pain compared to placebo. While pain scores were lower in the first hour, differences vanished later, suggesting limited benefit for acute migraine control.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Integrative Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Previous studies on acupuncture for migraine prevention yielded inconclusive results.
- Further research is recommended to clarify acupuncture's efficacy in migraine treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing acute migraine attacks.
Main Methods:
- A single-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients experiencing acute migraines.
- Pain intensity was measured before and at intervals after acupuncture (real or placebo) in ear acupoints.
- Comparison of pain scores between the acupuncture and placebo groups was performed.
Main Results:
- A total of 60 patients (83.3% women, mean age 31.4) were enrolled with no significant baseline differences between groups.
- Acupuncture showed a significant difference in pain reduction at 15-60 minutes post-treatment compared to placebo.
- No statistically significant difference in pain scores was observed between groups at 2, 3, and 4 hours post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture did not demonstrate a significant long-term effect on reducing mean pain scores in acute migraine attacks.
- No significant difference was found between acupuncture and placebo acupuncture in decreasing migraine pain beyond the first hour.
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