Efficacy of Acupuncture for Acute Migraine Attack: A Multicenter Single Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

  1. Lin-Peng Wang BSc1,*,
  2. Xiao-Zhe Zhang MSc2,
  3. Jia Guo MSc3,
  4. Hui-Lin Liu PhD1,
  5. Yan Zhang MSc4,
  6. Cun-Zhi Liu PhD1,
  7. Jing-Hong Yi MSc1,
  8. Li-Ping Wang BSc5,
  9. Ji-Ping Zhao PhD6,
  10. Shan-Shan Li MSc1

Article first published online: 26 APR 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2012.01376.x

Issue

Pain Medicine

Pain Medicine

Volume 13, Issue 5, pages 623–630, May 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Wang, L.-P., Zhang, X.-Z., Guo, J., Liu, H.-L., Zhang, Y., Liu, C.-Z., Yi, J.-H., Wang, L.-P., Zhao, J.-P. and Li, S.-S. (2012), Efficacy of Acupuncture for Acute Migraine Attack: A Multicenter Single Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Medicine, 13: 623–630. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2012.01376.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing

  2. 2

    Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing

  3. 3

    Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, the Third Hospital of Peking University, Beijing

  4. 4

    Quintiles Medical Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Beijing Branch, Beijing

  5. 5

    Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Huguosi Hospital Affiliated to the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing

  6. 6

    Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China

*Lin-Peng Wang, BSc, Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China. Tel: 086-010-52176636; Fax: 086-010-52176813; E-mail: wlp5558@sina.com.

  1. Conflicts of Interest: We have no conflicts of interest.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 MAY 2012
  2. Article first published online: 26 APR 2012

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Keywords:

  • Migraine;
  • Acupuncture;
  • Acute Treatment

Abstract

Objective.  We aim to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture for acute migraine attacks comparing with sham acupuncture.

Design.  The study was designed as a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting and Patients.  From March 2007 to February 2009, 150 patients were randomly allocated to verum or sham acupuncture group in a ratio of 1:1.

Interventions.  Every patient received a verum or sham acupuncture treatment when having a migraine attack and, medications were allowed if the pain failed to be relieved two hours after the acupuncture.

Outcome Measures.  The primary outcome was visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain ever).

Results.  The mean VAS scores 24 hours after treatment decreased from 5.7 ± 1.4 to 3.3 ± 2.5 in the verum acupuncture group, and from 5.4 ± 1.3 to 4.7 ± 2.4 in the sham acupuncture group. Significant differences existed between the two groups (P = 0.001).

Conclusions.  This trial suggested that verum acupuncture group was superior to sham acupuncture group on relieving pain and reducing the usage of acute medication.

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