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Current Pain and Headache Reports

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01-04-2022 | Migraine | Regenerative Pain Medicine/Interventional Pain Medicine (E Cornett Bradley, Section Editor)

Occipital Nerve Stimulation: An Alternative Treatment of Chronic Migraine

Authors: Benjamin S. Maxey, John W. Pruitt, Ashley Deville, Carver Montgomery, Alan D. Kaye, Ivan Urits

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 4/2022

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This paper will examine the efficacy and safety of occipital nerve stimulation as a non-pharmacological alternative treatment for migraine.

Recent Findings

Migraine is characterized as a primary headache disorder with possible premonitory and aura phases, both of which vary greatly in symptomatology. The most common treatments for chronic migraine are pharmacological and are aimed at both acute relief (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans, and ergots) and prophylaxis (e.g., propranolol, valproic acid, and topiramate). For patients with medically refractory migraine, acute relief medication overuse can increase the risk of developing more severe and more frequent migraine attacks. Occipital nerve stimulation is a non-pharmacological alternative treatment for chronic migraine, which could eliminate the risk of adverse effects from acute relief medication overuse. Neurostimulation is thought to prevent pain by blocking signal transduction from small nociceptive fibers with non-painful signaling in larger adjacent fibers.

Summary

Existing data from clinical trials support the overall safety and efficacy of occipital nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic migraine. However, few large controlled, double-blinded studies have been conducted, due to both practical and ethical concerns. Currently, occipital nerve stimulation is available as an off-label use of neurostimulation for pain prevention but is not approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of chronic migraine.

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Title: Occipital Nerve Stimulation: An Alternative Treatment of Chronic Migraine
Authors: Benjamin S. Maxey
John W. Pruitt
Ashley Deville
Carver Montgomery
Alan D. Kaye
Ivan Urits
Publication date: 01-04-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Migraine
Nerve Stimulation
Medication Overuse Headache
Aura
Headache
Triptan Drugs
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-022-01026-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Occipital Nerve Stimulation: An Alternative Treatment of Chronic Migraine

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

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