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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Feb;31(3):271-85.
doi: 10.1177/0333102410381142. Epub 2010 Sep 22.

Occipital nerve stimulation for the treatment of intractable chronic migraine headache: ONSTIM feasibility study

Joel R Saper  1 , David W Dodick, Stephen D Silberstein, Sally McCarville, Mark Sun, Peter J Goadsby; ONSTIM Investigators
Collaborators, Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Occipital nerve stimulation for the treatment of intractable chronic migraine headache: ONSTIM feasibility study

Joel R Saper et al. Cephalalgia. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Medically intractable chronic migraine (CM) is a disabling illness characterized by headache ≥15 days per month.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, blinded, controlled feasibility study was conducted to obtain preliminary safety and efficacy data on occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) in CM. Eligible subjects received an occipital nerve block, and responders were randomized to adjustable stimulation (AS), preset stimulation (PS) or medical management (MM) groups.

Results: Seventy-five of 110 subjects were assigned to a treatment group; complete diary data were available for 66. A responder was defined as a subject who achieved a 50% or greater reduction in number of headache days per month or a three-point or greater reduction in average overall pain intensity compared with baseline. Three-month responder rates were 39% for AS, 6% for PS and 0% for MM. No unanticipated adverse device events occurred. Lead migration occurred in 12 of 51 (24%) subjects.

Conclusion: The results of this feasibility study offer promise and should prompt further controlled studies of ONS in CM.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Randomization and study design, three-month overview. Adjustable stim = adjustable stimulation group. Preset stim = preset stimulation group.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Disposition of patients in the study. Adjustable stim = adjustable stimulation group. Preset stim = preset stimulation group.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Percentage change in number of headache days. Adjustable stim = adjustable stimulation group. Preset stim = preset stimulation group.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Change in overall pain intensity. Adjustable stim = adjustable stimulation group. Preset stim = preset stimulation group.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Percentage change in number of days with prolonged, severe headache. Adjustable stim = adjustable stimulation group. Preset stim = preset stimulation group.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Change in hours of headache per day (averaged over all days). Adjustable stim = adjustable stimulation group. Preset stim = preset stimulation group.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Responder rate by treatment group. Adjustable stim = adjustable stimulation group. Preset stim = preset stimulation group.
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