The dose-effect association between electroacupuncture sessions and its effect on chronic migraine: a protocol of a meta-regression of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Review question / Objective: We will use a meta-regression approach to verify the dose-effect relationship between the number of electroacupuncture sessions and its effects on migraine. Condition being studied: Migraine is recurrent and chronic, requiring long-term control, but the side effects caused by long-term use limit the use of pharmacotherapy, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), ergoamines and opioids. With fewer side effects and lower cost, acupuncture is becoming a more attractive option for migraine. Relevant studies have confirmed the clinical effects of electroacupuncture on migraine and its effects on intracranial blood flow velocity, functional brain imaging and neuroinflammation. However, uncertainty exists regarding the dose-effect between electroacupuncture and migraine. In recent years, inspired by the dose-effect researches in pharmacology and epidemiology, researches focusing on the dose-effect association between acupuncture and diseases has also begun to emerge. So in this protocol, we designed to use a meta-regression approach to explore the optimal electroacupuncture dose for migraine.