Acupuncture for menstruation-related migraine prophylaxis: A multicenter randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Neurology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Menstruation-related migraine (MRM) significantly impacts women's quality of life.
• Preventive treatments for MRM are crucial for effective management.
• Alternative therapies like acupuncture are increasingly explored for MRM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture as a preventive therapy for MRM.
• To compare acupuncture's effectiveness against standard medication (naproxen).

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involving 172 women with MRM.
• Participants received either acupuncture at traditional acupoints or sham acupuncture with naproxen.
• The primary endpoint was the change in migraine days during perimenstrual periods over three cycles.

Main Results:

• Acupuncture significantly reduced the average number of migraine days per perimenstrual period compared to medication (0.94 vs. 0.61 days).
• The study reported a significant between-group difference favoring acupuncture (95% CI, 0.17-0.50; P < 0.001).
• The preventive benefits of acupuncture were sustained for up to six cycles.

Conclusions:

• Acupuncture is an effective preventive treatment for MRM, outperforming medication in reducing migraine frequency.
• The sustained efficacy of acupuncture suggests its long-term value in managing MRM.
• Acupuncture offers a viable alternative or complementary therapy for women suffering from MRM.