Magnetic device may reduce migraine headache pain

AORN Journal, Sept, 2006

Migraine headache pain may be diminished or even eliminated by the use of an experimental electromagnetic device, according to a June 22, 2006, news release from Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. Patients who suffer from these debilitating headaches often report seeing an aura at the onset of the headache--a visual disturbance described as showers of stars, zigzagging tines, or flashing lights. This can be accompanied by a loss of vision, weakness, tingling, and confusion. The aura phase typically is followed by an intense, throbbing headache and sometimes nausea, vomiting, and noise sensitivity.

Researchers studied the effect of using an experimental electronic device on participants suffering from a migraine. The transcranial magnetic stimulator is a device that interrupts the aura phase of a migraine. The device sends a strong electric current through a metal coil, creating a brief, intense magnetic field. When held against a patient's head during the initial symptoms of a migraine, the device creates a corresponding electric current in the neurons of the brain. This apparently interrupts the aura phase and prevents the development of the throbbing headache. In the study sample, 69% of the participants who used the device (ie, the treatment group) reported having either no pain or mild pain two hours posttreatment compared to 48% of those who did not use the device (ie, the placebo group). In the treatment group, 42% graded their headache response as good or excellent compared to 26% of the placebo group. In addition, 84% of the treatment group reported improved work functioning, no noise sensitivity, and no side effects two hours posttreatment.

Device Effective in Zapping the Pain Out of Migraines (news release, Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State University Medical Center, June 22, 2006) http://medicatcenter.osu .edu/patientcare/hospitatsandservices/press/?ID=2698 (accessed 28 June 2006).