Still no proof of the efficacy of acupuncture in the prevention of migraine
Schoonman, G.G.; Wiendels, N.J.; Ferrari, M.D.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 148(44): 2165-2166
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 15559408 Document Number: 583320
Besides pharmacological treatments for migraine, alternative non-pharmacological treatment strategies might be effective. In 2001, a Cochrane review concluded that acupuncture might be effective in migraine. The authors of a recent large trial also claimed that acupuncture might reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. However, this study failed to provide a clear answer due to serious methodological short-comings, for example with respect to randomisation and the clinical relevance of the main findings. In another recent, large, randomised controlled trial, the efficacy of acupuncture was not significantly different from that of the sham procedure. In conclusion, acupuncture is probably not effective in the prevention of migraine.