Starling AJ

Greater occipital nerve (GON) block seems to be an effective option for acute management of migraine headache, with promising reductions in pain scores, a recent study found. This retrospective cohort study was undertaken between January 2009 and August 2014 and included patients who underwent at least 1 GON block and attended at least 1 follow-up appointment. Change in the 11-point numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) was used to assess the response to GON block. A total of 562 patients met inclusion criteria; 423 were women (75%); mean age was 58.6 ± 16.7 years. Response was defined as “minimal” (less than 30% NPRS point reduction), “moderate” (31% to 50% NPRS point reduction), or “significant” ( greater than 50% NPRS point reduction). Researchers found:

• Of total patients, 459 (82%) rated their response to GON block as moderate or significant.
• No statistically significant relationship existed between previous treatment regimens and response to GON block.
• GON block was equally effective across the different age and sex groups.

Greater occipital nerve block for acute treatment of migraine headache: A large retrospective cohort study. J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31(2):211-218. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170188.

Greater occipital nerve (GON) block seems to be an effective option for acute management of migraine headache, with promising reductions in pain scores, a recent study found. This retrospective cohort study was undertaken between January 2009 and August 2014 and included patients who underwent at least 1 GON block and attended at least 1 follow-up appointment. Change in the 11-point numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) was used to assess the response to GON block. A total of 562 patients met inclusion criteria; 423 were women (75%); mean age was 58.6 ± 16.7 years. Response was defined as “minimal” (less than 30% NPRS point reduction), “moderate” (31% to 50% NPRS point reduction), or “significant” ( greater than 50% NPRS point reduction). Researchers found:

• Of total patients, 459 (82%) rated their response to GON block as moderate or significant.
• No statistically significant relationship existed between previous treatment regimens and response to GON block.
• GON block was equally effective across the different age and sex groups.

Greater occipital nerve block for acute treatment of migraine headache: A large retrospective cohort study. J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31(2):211-218. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170188.

Greater occipital nerve (GON) block seems to be an effective option for acute management of migraine headache, with promising reductions in pain scores, a recent study found. This retrospective cohort study was undertaken between January 2009 and August 2014 and included patients who underwent at least 1 GON block and attended at least 1 follow-up appointment. Change in the 11-point numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) was used to assess the response to GON block. A total of 562 patients met inclusion criteria; 423 were women (75%); mean age was 58.6 ± 16.7 years. Response was defined as “minimal” (less than 30% NPRS point reduction), “moderate” (31% to 50% NPRS point reduction), or “significant” ( greater than 50% NPRS point reduction). Researchers found:

• Of total patients, 459 (82%) rated their response to GON block as moderate or significant.
• No statistically significant relationship existed between previous treatment regimens and response to GON block.
• GON block was equally effective across the different age and sex groups.

Greater occipital nerve block for acute treatment of migraine headache: A large retrospective cohort study. J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31(2):211-218. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170188.

Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for migraine prevention, according to a recent study.  Researchers conducted the eNeura Spring TMS Post-Market Observational US Study of Migraine (ESPOUSE), a multicenter, prospective, open label, observational study. Of the total subjects (n=263), 229 completed a baseline diary, and 220 were found to be eligible based on the number of headache days. The treatment protocol consisted of preventive (4 pulses twice daily) and acute (3 pulses repeated up to 3 times for each attack) treatment. Researchers found:

• The device was assigned to 217 subjects (Safety Data Set) and 132 were included in the intention to treat Full Analysis Set.
• For the primary endpoint, there was a −2.75 ± 0.40 mean reduction of headache days from baseline compared to the performance goal (-0.63 days).
• There was a reduction of −2.93 (5.24) days of acute medication use, headache impact measured by HIT-6, −3.1 (6.4), and total headache days of any intensity −3.16 days (5.21) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days).
• The most common adverse events were lightheadedness, tingling, and tinnitus; there were no serious adverse events.

A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE study). [Published online ahead of print March 4, 2018]. Cephalalgia. doi:10.1177/0333102418762525.

Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for migraine prevention, according to a recent study.  Researchers conducted the eNeura Spring TMS Post-Market Observational US Study of Migraine (ESPOUSE), a multicenter, prospective, open label, observational study. Of the total subjects (n=263), 229 completed a baseline diary, and 220 were found to be eligible based on the number of headache days. The treatment protocol consisted of preventive (4 pulses twice daily) and acute (3 pulses repeated up to 3 times for each attack) treatment. Researchers found:

• The device was assigned to 217 subjects (Safety Data Set) and 132 were included in the intention to treat Full Analysis Set.
• For the primary endpoint, there was a −2.75 ± 0.40 mean reduction of headache days from baseline compared to the performance goal (-0.63 days).
• There was a reduction of −2.93 (5.24) days of acute medication use, headache impact measured by HIT-6, −3.1 (6.4), and total headache days of any intensity −3.16 days (5.21) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days).
• The most common adverse events were lightheadedness, tingling, and tinnitus; there were no serious adverse events.

A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE study). [Published online ahead of print March 4, 2018]. Cephalalgia. doi:10.1177/0333102418762525.

Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for migraine prevention, according to a recent study.  Researchers conducted the eNeura Spring TMS Post-Market Observational US Study of Migraine (ESPOUSE), a multicenter, prospective, open label, observational study. Of the total subjects (n=263), 229 completed a baseline diary, and 220 were found to be eligible based on the number of headache days. The treatment protocol consisted of preventive (4 pulses twice daily) and acute (3 pulses repeated up to 3 times for each attack) treatment. Researchers found:

• The device was assigned to 217 subjects (Safety Data Set) and 132 were included in the intention to treat Full Analysis Set.
• For the primary endpoint, there was a −2.75 ± 0.40 mean reduction of headache days from baseline compared to the performance goal (-0.63 days).
• There was a reduction of −2.93 (5.24) days of acute medication use, headache impact measured by HIT-6, −3.1 (6.4), and total headache days of any intensity −3.16 days (5.21) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days).
• The most common adverse events were lightheadedness, tingling, and tinnitus; there were no serious adverse events.

A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE study). [Published online ahead of print March 4, 2018]. Cephalalgia. doi:10.1177/0333102418762525.