[Punctate transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in migraine therapy]

Pharmacotherapy of migraine is not satisfying at present, especially in case of frequent attacks of headache. Therefore alternative methods of treatment gain increasing relevance. Based upon many years of experience with specific reflexotherapy and conventional stimulation therapy for treatment of pain we started a clinical study in migraine applying the punctual transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PuTENS) performed with self-made pocket electrostimulators (TRG I-III). The study includes self-treatment of patients at home. After more than 6 months PuTENS was prophylactically effective in 225 out of 282 patients, i.e. in 80% of cases the frequency of attacks and the use of drugs were reduced to at least 50%. In 90 patients treated by the physician the rate of improvement was 86% compared to 76% in 192 patients, which performed self-treatment according to the physician's instruction and under medical supervision. 96 out of 160 patients with migraine could alleviate their acute headache by PuTENS applying the pocket electrostimulator at home. In conclusion, PuTENS is superior to drug therapy and conventioned electrotherapy in the treatment of migraine. Its effectiveness is similar to needle acupuncture. The method can therefore be regarded as a valuable alternative and help for patients with frequent headache.