[Analysis of the efficacy of reflexology in the complex treatment of chronic migraine]

Authors: Safonov M I, Naprienko M VJournal: Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. KorsakovaPublished: January 1, 2017DOI: 10.17116/jnevro20171175122-25

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=84 participants

Migraines

In Plain Language: reflexology for migraines, explained

To evaluate the effect of different reflexology techniques on main clinical indices of patients with chronic migraine, the number of analgesics used and dynamics of chronic migraine comorbid disorders. The study included 84 patients (60 women (71.5%) and 24 men (28.5%)), aged from 18 to 63 years, with a diagnosis of chronic migraine. Patients were randomized in 4 groups - Su Jok (n=22), acupuncture (n=22), electroacupuncture (n=20), control (n=20). Topiramate was administered in all groups in dose of 100 mg daily. Patients were evaluated before treatment, after 4 and 16 weeks from randomization. There was a marked regression in frequency of headache in reflexological groups in comparison with the control. The number of days with headache was 19±1.12 at baseline and 6.57±1.3 days after treatment in the Su Jok group; 21.6±1.688 and 7±1.786 days in the acupuncture group; 20.25±1.97 and 5.75±0.633 days in the electroacupuncture group. Each of the methods had an impact on various clinical aspects of chronic migraine and comorbid disorders: Su Jok was most effective in treatment of autonomic disorders, the use of acupuncture resulted in the significant reduction of headache intensity and regression of anxiety disorders. The electroacupuncture group showed a significant increase in pain threshold and the least number of days with headache per month. Reflexotherapy is a method of choice in the complex treatment of patients with chronic migraine. Taking into account complex diagnosis, the individually oriented approach in prescribing of different reflexology techniques for successful treatment and subsequent rehabilitation of patients with chronic migraine is required. Цель исследования. Оценка влияния различных &#x43

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about migraines

✓All three reflexology techniques (Su Jok, acupuncture, and electroacupuncture) significantly reduced headache frequency compared to control, with migraine days decreasing from approximately 19-22 days at baseline to 6-8 days after treatment.
✓Electroacupuncture produced the greatest reduction in migraine frequency, lowering headache days from 20.25 to 5.75 days, while Su Jok and acupuncture achieved reductions to approximately 6.5-7 days respectively.
✓Reflexology techniques demonstrated efficacy in managing chronic migraine as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment with topiramate, suggesting a benefit to combined therapeutic approaches.

What This Means for You

This study suggests reflexology combined with migraine medication may reduce how often migraines occur, though results vary by technique and more research is needed to confirm these findings.

What This Means for Practitioners

Different reflexology techniques appear to address distinct aspects of chronic migraine; consider electroacupuncture for headache frequency reduction, acupuncture for pain intensity, or Su Jok for autonomic symptoms.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

84 participants

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Reflexology for migraines: common questions

Does reflexology help with migraines?

This study suggests reflexology combined with migraine medication may reduce how often migraines occur, though results vary by technique and more research is needed to confirm these findings.

What did this study find?

All three reflexology techniques (Su Jok, acupuncture, and electroacupuncture) significantly reduced headache frequency compared to control, with migraine days decreasing from approximately 19-22 days at baseline to 6-8 days after treatment. Electroacupuncture produced the greatest reduction in migraine frequency, lowering headache days from 20.25 to 5.75 days, while Su Jok and acupuncture achieved reductions to approximately 6.5-7 days respectively. Reflexology techniques demonstrated efficacy in managing chronic migraine as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment with topiramate, suggesting a benefit to combined therapeutic approaches.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 84 participants. It was published in Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.