The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients with Migraine

Complementary and alternative medicine use in migraine patients: results from a national patient e-survey

Object

This cross-sectional study aims to investigate migraineurs' preferred complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) types and the factors influencing their usage.

Materials and methods

An anonymous e-survey was distributed to Lithuanian Migraine Association members, and social media migraine support communities. The collected data consisted of demographic, migraine-related questions, personal qualities, CAM habits.

Results

470 respondents were analyzed. 95.96% were women with a median age of 37 (IQR 31, 44). The median duration of migraine was 17.5 years (IQR 10, 25) and the median headache severity was rated 8 (IQR 7, 10) out of 10. 68.90% of participants had one or more headache days per week. 71.49% of respondents were triptan users, 27.66% used medical prophylaxis, and 17.87% used monoclonal antibodies. 52.55% of respondents used CAM in the past 12 months. Physical activity (36.17%), dietary changes/fasting (27.02%), relaxation/meditation (26.60%) were the most used CAM types. Reasons for CAM use included dissatisfaction with conventional treatment effectiveness (42.51%), concerns about safety (48.18%) and adverse effects (37.25%). Factors associated with the decision to explore CAM included longer headache duration (p = 0.017, Mann-Whitney U test), frequent sick leaves (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test), current preventive medication use (p = 0.016, chi-square test), positive views on CAM safety/naturality (p = 0.001/ p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test), belief of having a healthy diet (p < 0.001, chi-square test), food-related worries (p = 0.011, Mann-Whitney U test) and Big-five personality trait of openness to experience (p = 0.049, chi-square test). After logistic regression, the frequent need to take sick leaves, having a healthy diet, food-associated fears maintained statistical significance. CAM use was not associated with non-adherence to conventional medicine. 48.99% of CAM consumers disclosed CAM use to their doctors.

Conclusion

CAM is explored by a significant proportion of migraineurs, less than half communicate this to their doctors. In our sample, physical activity, dietary changes, and relaxation techniques were the most common. Many patients opted for CAM due to previously experienced side effects/ineffectiveness of conventional migraine treatment or the fear of potential harm from standard medication. Individual factors, such as openness of personality can be an important contributing factor.

Neurogenic Inflammation: The Participant in Migraine and Recent Advancements in Translational Research

Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by a unilateral, throbbing, pulsing headache, which lasts for hours to days, and the pain can interfere with daily activities. It exhibits various symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and odors, and physical activity consistently contributes to worsening pain. Despite the intensive research, little is still known about the pathomechanism of migraine. It is widely accepted that migraine involves activation and sensitization of the trigeminovascular system. It leads to the release of several pro-inflammatory neuropeptides and neurotransmitters and causes a cascade of inflammatory tissue responses, including vasodilation, plasma extravasation secondary to capillary leakage, edema, and mast cell degranulation. Convincing evidence obtained in rodent models suggests that neurogenic inflammation is assumed to contribute to the development of a migraine attack. Chemical stimulation of the dura mater triggers activation and sensitization of the trigeminal system and causes numerous molecular and behavioral changes; therefore, this is a relevant animal model of acute migraine. This narrative review discusses the emerging evidence supporting the involvement of neurogenic inflammation and neuropeptides in the pathophysiology of migraine, presenting the most recent advances in preclinical research and the novel therapeutic approaches to the disease.

The Effects of Massage Therapy on a Patient with Migraines and Cervical Spondylosis: a Case Report

Background

Migraines involve moderate-to-severe neck and face pain that lasts four to 72 hours, and are followed by fatigue and stiffness. Migraines are treated using medications, massage therapy (MT), and non-pharmacological alternatives. Cervical spondylosis (CS) is characterized by degeneration of the intervertebral discs, neck pain, and involvement of soft tissues in the cervical area. CS is treated using medications and manual therapy, including MT.

Objective

To determine the effects of MT on cervical range of motion and daily function in a patient with migraines and CS.

Case Presentation

The patient was an active 56-year-old female diagnosed with migraines and CS. Initial evaluation included cervical range of motion (ROM), goniometry, reflexes, myotomes, dermatomes, local sensation testing and orthopedic tests. Assessment was followed by five MT treatments. Swedish massage, myofascial trigger point release, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching were applied to the back, neck, head, and face. The Headache Disability Index (HDI) was administered on the initial and final visits to evaluate patient function. Cervical ROM was measured pre- and posttreatment using a universal goniometer. Treatment was conducted by a second-year MT student at the MacEwan Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta.

Results

All cervical ranges of motion improved. The Headache Disability Index score decreased, but was not considered significant. The patient reported decreased stiffness in the upper back and shoulders, reduced migraines, and better sleeping patterns after the MT intervention.

Conclusion

MT was effective in increasing cervical ROM, but had no significant effect on daily function. Further research is warranted on effects of MT on CS and migraines.

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel trial of vitamin D3 supplementation in adult patients with migraine

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D levels have been linked to certain pain states, including migraine. This study investigated whether vitamin D supplementation would be beneficial for adult patients with migraine (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01695460).

METHODS

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel trial was conducted in migraine patients (36 women and 12 men, 18-65 years of age). A 4-week baseline period was conducted before randomization to 24 weeks of treatment. Participants were assigned to receive D3-Vitamin (n = 24, 18 women and 6 men, 100 μg/day D3-Vitamin) or placebo (n = 24, 18 women and 6 men). Migraine attacks and related symptoms were assessed by self-reported diaries. The response rate (i.e. experiencing a 50% or greater reduction in migraine frequency from baseline to week 24), change in migraine severity, and number of migraine days were recorded. Changes in migraine-related symptoms, HIT-6^TM scores, and pain sensitivity tests (pressure pain threshold and temporal summation) were also evaluated. Serum levels of both 25 (OH)D and 1,25 (OH)₂D were assessed from baseline to week 24.

RESULTS

The number of headache days changed from 6.14 ± 3.60 in the treatment group and 5.72 ± 4.52 in the placebo group at baseline to 3.28 ± 3.24 and 4.93 ± 3.24 by the end of the trial, respectively. Migraine patients on D3-Vitamin demonstrated a significant decrease (p < .001) in migraine frequency from baseline to week 24 compared with placebo. However, migraine severity, pressure pain thresholds, or temporal summation did not show a significant change. 25(OH)D levels increased significantly for the D3-Vitamin group during the first 12 weeks of treatment. There was no significant change in 1,25(OH)₂D. No side-effects were reported or noted.

CONCLUSIONS

D3-Vitamin was superior to placebo in reducing migraine days in migraine patients. Larger studies are required to confirm that vitamin D₃ might be one of the prophylactic options for adult patients with migraine.

An open/pilot trial of cognitive behavioral therapy in Turkish patients with refractory chronic migraine

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain management is a therapy that aims to modify thoughts and behavior to be more realistic and balanced. There are limited number of studies to assess the efficacy of CBT for patients with pharmacotherapy-resistant chronic migraine in our population. We aimed to invstigate the effects of CBT for patients with refractory chronic migraine on pain attack frequency, disability, severity, anxiety and depression. Fourteen patients with refractory chronic migraine who were referred from the headache clinic to the psychiatry department and regularly attended CBT sessions at least once every 2 weeks for at least 6 months, were included in the study. After 2 sessions of psychiatric evaluation, the subjects had 12 40-min CBT sessions and were given relaxation exercises. The Hamilton depression and anxiety inventories, visual analogue scale for assessing the severity of pain, and the Migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) test were used before and after CBT. The mean Hamilton depression scores before and after CBT were 29.07 ± 7.74 and 14.21 ± 7.7, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean Hamilton anxiety scores before and after CBT were 26.8 ± 11.7 and 11.7 ± 2.6, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean VAS scores before and after CBT were 8.07 ± 0.91 and 3.71 ± 1.32, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean MIDAS scores before and after CBT were 55.5 ± 20.4 and 20.12 ± 16.6, respectively (p < 0.0001). Our results showed that CBT had made a statistically significant difference on pain severity, number of migraine attacks and disability in patients with refractory chronic migraine. CBT should be considered in this patient group.

Integrating Chiropractic Care Into the Treatment of Migraine Headaches in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Case Series

This case series illustrates an integrated model of care for migraine that combines standard neurological care with chiropractic treatment. For each patient, we describe the rationale for referral, diagnosis by both the neurologist and chiropractor, the coordinated care plan, communication between the neurologist and chiropractor based on direct face-to-face "hallway" interaction, medical notes, team meetings, and clinical outcomes. Findings are evaluated within the broader context of the multicause nature of migraine and the impact of integrative chiropractic. Suggestions for future areas of research evaluating integrative approaches are discussed.

Nutraceuticals in Acute and Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine

OPINION STATEMENT

People who suffer from headaches often prefer nutraceutical treatment over traditional pharmacological approaches, due to fear of possible side effects, drug dependence, or addiction. Since treatment with nutraceuticals does not require a doctor's prescription, many patients rely on their own judgment as to when and which one to take, often without consultation or guidance from their physician. Some physicians could provide information about potential efficacy and side effects of various products, but many are not familiar with the nutraceuticals. Widespread skepticism persists among doctors about the effectiveness of these treatments. This is largely due to the lack of rigorous clinical studies. However, even when incontrovertible scientific evidence exists, many physicians remain distrustful of the evidence. The following review summarizes randomized controlled trials of some of the most commonly used non-pharmacological treatments, including magnesium, coenzyme Q10, riboflavin (vitamin B2), petasites, and feverfew (Table 1).

Pediatric migraine sufferers and alternative therapies

Introduction

Migraine is a common pediatric disorder, which results in chronic pain. Because of the limited effectiveness of conventional drug regimens, an increased number of pediatric patients look for an alternative medication regimen to prevent and treat migraines.

Method

Search terms “pediatric, headache, migraine, treatment, alternative treatment” were used. Butterbur and riboflavin are suggested as alternative remedies for migraine prophylaxis, and a combination of feverfew and ginger for acute treatment. In addition to previous search terms, “butterbur, riboflavin, feverfew, ginger” were used to review their effectiveness.

Result

Butterbur or riboflavin may be an appropriate alternative regimen to prevent migraine, and a combination of feverfew and ginger may be an option for acute episode.

Conclusion

Study results are promising, but not yet conclusive. Study samples are relatively small. These alternative regimens may benefit pediatric migraine sufferers, but they should be carefully monitored to evaluate individual efficacy when in use.