In a multi-center, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial involving 140 patients with migraine headaches (without aura), treatment with acupuncture was found to be more effective than treatment with flunarizine (pharmacological agent used in the treatment of migraines) in reducing the number of days of migraine attacks. Patients were randomized to receive one of two interventions: a) real acupuncture (3 times/week) plus a placebo given orally daily; b) sham acupuncture plus flunarizine daily. Subjects who received real acupuncture had better responder rates and fewer migraine days, as compared to those who received the drug therapy. No significant difference in VAS scores for pain and SF-36 scores for physical and mental health components were found. These results suggest that acupuncture may be a safe and effective method used to help prevent migraine headaches.
“Efficacy of acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis: a single-blinded, double-dummy, randomized controlled trial,” Wang LP, Zhang XZ, et al, Pain, 2011 May 24