Positive Health Online

Abstract

VILLANI and COLLEAGUES, 1. Neuro-Oncology Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 30, 00144, Rome, Italy. veronicavillani79@gmail.com ; 2. Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; 3. Italian Shiatsu Association, Rome, Italy; 4. Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University, Rome, Italy conducted a single-blind, randomized pilot study to test efficacy and safety of combining shiatsu and amitriptyline to treat headaches.

Background

Complementary alternative medicine, such as shiatsu, can represent a suitable treatment for primary headaches. However, evidence-based data about the effect of combining shiatsu and pharmacological treatments are still not available.

Methodology

Therefore, we tested the efficacy and safety of combining shiatsu and amitriptyline to treat refractory primary headaches in a single-blind, randomized, pilot study. Subjects with a diagnosis of primary headache and who experienced lack of response to ≥2 different prophylactic drugs were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive shiatsu plus amitriptyline, shiatsu alone, or amitriptyline alone for 3 months. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients experiencing ≥50%-reduction in headache days. Secondary endpoints were days with headache per month, visual analogue scale, and number of pain killers taken per month. After randomization, 37 subjects were allocated to shiatsu plus amitriptyline (n = 11), shiatsu alone (n = 13), and amitriptyline alone (n = 13). Randomization ensured well-balanced demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline.

Results

Although all the three groups improved in terms of headache frequency, visual analogue scale score, and number of pain killers (p < 0.05), there was no between-group difference in primary endpoint (p = ns). Shiatsu (alone or in combination) was superior to amitriptyline in reducing the number of pain killers taken per month (p < 0.05). Seven (19%) subjects reported adverse events, all attributable to amitriptyline, while no side effects were related with shiatsu treatment.

Conclusion

Shiatsu is a safe and potentially useful alternative approach for refractory headache. However, there is no evidence of an additive or synergistic effect of combining shiatsu and amitriptyline. These findings are only preliminary and should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size of the population included in our study. Trial registration 81/2010 (Ethical Committee, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy).

References

Villani V1, Prosperini L2, Palombini F3, Orzi F4, Sette G4. Single-blind, randomized, pilot study combining shiatsu and amitriptyline in refractory primary headaches. Neurol Sci. 38(6):999-1007. doi: 10.1007/s10072-017-2888-7. Epub 2017 Mar 10. Jun 2017.