Somatic Acupuncture Versus Ear Acupuncture in Migraine Therapy: A Randomized, Controlled, Blind Study

Abstract

This study compares the clinical effectiveness of somatic and ear acupuncture for treatment of migraine without aura. 35 patients were divided into 2 groups, one receiving somatic and the other ear acupuncture. Both groups were treated once a week for 8 weeks and needles were stimulated manually. The severity of pain was evaluated with the Migraine Index and the visual analogue of Scott-Huskisson; other 2 tests were used to monitor the pain threshold and Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale was applied to assess variations in patients' mood. These tests were performed before the beginning and at the end of treatment and, for the follow up, after 1, 3 and 6 months from the end of therapy. On the basis of the migraine index, pain at the end of therapy was significantly lower than before the treatment, being residual pain 54.83% and 63.43%, respectively for somatic and ear acupuncture. Apparently, the 2 treatments were equally effective, as no significant difference could be assessed. On the contrary, a significant difference between the 2 groups was clear during the follow up: in fact, after 6 months residual pain was 16.80% and 48.83% for somatic and ear acupuncture, respectively (p=0.038). These results were confirmed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) test and by the evaluation of pain threshold. It is noteworthy that also Zung's depression test showed a significant decrease of score was present in both groups, at all the times investigated with no difference between the two treatments. These results, though preliminary, are quite promising in supporting the effectiveness of ear acupuncture for treatment of migraine without aura.

Auricular Electrical Stimulation Alleviates Headache through CGRP/COX-2/TRPV1/TRPA1 Signaling Pathways in a Nitroglycerin-Induced Migraine Rat Model

“…In addition, auricular acupuncture has analgesic and antipsychogenic effects [11]. The results of the present study indicated that auricular ES pretreatment reduced spontaneous nociceptive behaviors and depressive- or anxiety-like behaviors in rats, these results were in good agreement with a randomized controlled trial finding that auricular acupuncture can relieve migraine headache and depression emotion [31], and auricular acupuncture also can prevent the generation of acute and chronic migraine [32].…”

Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine

“…Twenty studies (described in 23 publications) did not meet selection criteria (Agro 2005; Boutouyrie 2010; Ceccherelli 2012; Deng 2006; Ferro 2012; Foroughipour 2014; Han 2011; Jia 2009; Matra 2012; Qin 2006; Vijayalakshmi 2014; Wang 2011; Wu 2011; Yang 2009; Yang 2011; Zhang 2006; Zhang 2009; Zheng 2013; Zhong 2009; Zhou 2007). A number of Chinese trials were excluded due to inadequate duration of prophylactic drug treatment (several Chinese trials gave flunarizine or other drugs for four weeks only), overall observation of less than eight weeks, inclusion of participants with recent onset of migraine, and lack of relevant outcome measures.…”

Daith Piercing in a Case of Chronic Migraine: A Possible Vagal Modulation

“…Moreover, treating specific auricular points seems to be more effective in controlling migraineurs pain ( 7 ). A study comparing somatic versus ear acupuncture for migraine without aura treatment showed promising results regarding ear acupuncture efficacy ( 8 ). A systematic review and meta-analysis, including a sham control group, suggested that auricular therapy can be used as an adjunct therapy for pain management ( 9 ).…”