[Controlled therapeutic trials in migraine: methodology and results]

This review first brings justification to performing controlled therapeutic trials in migraine. It then describes the organisation of a prophylactic trial; the criteria for inclusion and exclusion, the various possible protocols, and the data analysis are discussed, while the many difficulties and pitfalls brought about by the natural characteristics of the disease are stressed. Some limitations inherent to prophylactic trials and to migraine when interpreting the results are emphasized. The findings of the prophylactic trials published to date are briefly summarized in three tables; the results indicate both the usefulness and the validity of this methodological approach in migraine. The main features and specific difficulties of the controlled trials of drugs the treatment of migraine attacks are briefly commented, and the literature review is broadly tabulated. Lastly, a brief account of the problems involved in controlled trials of non-chemical migraine therapy is given. Despite their numerous limitations, the controlled trials have considerably clarified the therapeutic approach of migraine.