Medium-dose riboflavin as a prophylactic agent in children with migraine: a preliminary placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial

Cephalalgia. 2010 Dec;30(12):1426-34. doi: 10.1177/0333102410365106. Epub 2010 Mar 26.

Abstract

Background: Riboflavin seems to have a promising effect on migraine in adults. The present study examines whether riboflavin has a prophylactic effect on migraine in children.

Objective: To investigate whether riboflavin in a dosage of 50 mg/day has a prophylactic effect on migraine attacks in young children.

Subjects and methods: This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial included 42 children (aged 6-13 years) with migraine of whom 14 children were also suffering from tension-type headache. Following a 4-week baseline period, all children received placebo for 16 weeks then riboflavin for 16 weeks (or vice versa) with a washout period of 4 weeks in between. The primary outcome measure was reduction in mean frequency of migraine attacks and tension-type headache in the last 4 weeks at the end of the riboflavin and placebo phase, compared with the preceding baseline or wash-out period. Secondary outcome measures were mean severity and mean duration of migraine and tension-type headaches in the last 4 weeks at the end of the riboflavin and placebo phase, compared with the preceding baseline or wash-out period.

Results: No significant difference in the reduction of mean frequency of migraine attacks in the last month of treatment was found between placebo and riboflavin (P = 0.44). However, a significant difference in reduction of mean frequency of headaches with a tension-type phenotype was found in favour of the riboflavin treatment (P = 0.04).

Conclusions: In this group of children with migraine, there is no evidence that 50 mg riboflavin has a prophylactic effect on migraine attacks. We found some evidence that 50 mg riboflavin may have a prophylactic effect on interval headaches that may correspond to mild migraine attacks or tension-type headache attacks in children with migraine.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Riboflavin / therapeutic use*
  • Tension-Type Headache / epidemiology
  • Vitamin B Complex / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Riboflavin