Research: LINDE and colleagues,

Listed in Issue 117

Abstract

LINDE and colleagues, Gothenburg Migraine Clinic, Sahlgren Academy, Goteborg University, Gothenburg, Sweden, mattias.linde@neuro.gu.se, have studied the role of needling in prophylactic acupuncture for migraine.

Background

The aims of the study were to introduce a new method for controlled trials of acupuncture for migraine, and to examine the role of needling per se.

Methodology

28 Women with menstrually related migraine were randomized to three months of treatment with true acupuncture (15 women) or placebo needles (13 women).

Results

No significant differences were found between the treatment group and the placebo group during treatment or follow up three and six months later, either in the attack frequency or in the number of days per month with migraine, headache intensity or drug-use.

Conclusion

This method is satisfactory for controlled studies of acupuncture in headache. It is possible that the positive results in earlier clinical trials on acupuncture in migraine are attributable to mechanisms other than needling of subcutaneous tissue.

References

Linde M, Fjell A, Carlsson J, Dahlof C. Role of the needling per se in acupuncture as prophylaxis for menstrually related migraine: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Cephalalgia 25 (1): 41-47, Jan 2005.

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