'Star Trek' headband for migraine shows promise

Conclusion While this news may seem like something out of science fiction, it appears that there is indeed some cause to think that a device looking similar to that worn by Star Trek’s Geordi La Forge (pictured above) could have the potential to be used by people who have migraines. This news story is based on a well-designed study that benefits from using identical STS and sham devices. It also benefits from having a high follow-up rate and the fact that neither participants nor investigators were aware of which treatment each person used. The study demonstrates that the STS had some effect in improving the main outcomes that it set out to examine. It improved the number of migraine days per month, and the proportion of people who responded as defined by at least 50% reduction in monthly migraine days. There was also some benefit on other outcomes and no observed safety effects. However, further study of this device will be needed to confirm it is safe and effective and to see who would most benefit from treatment. So far, relatively few migraine sufferers (67) have been studied and the use of the device has only been examined over three months. Longer-term treatment in much larger numbers of people (ideally hundreds or thousands) would be needed to confirm that this device is safe, particularly if it is used daily for long periods of time. Safety, effectiveness, acceptability, and convenience (particularly considering it is a device worn on the forehead) would also need...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Neurology Source Type: news