Magnetic stimulation of the upper trapezius muscles in patients with migraine – A pilot study

Nico Sollmann, Florian Trepte-Freisleder, Lucia Albers, Nikolai H. Jung, Volker Mall, Bernhard Meyer, Florian Heinen, Sandro M. Krieg, Mirjam N. Landgraf

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) has been applied to musculoskeletal pain conditions. Since recent data show that migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) might be closely related to peripheral muscular pain in the neck and shoulder region (supporting the concept of the trigemino-cervical complex (TCC)), this pilot study explores the acceptance of rPMS to the upper trapezius muscles in migraine (partly in combination with TTH). Methods We used rPMS to stimulate active myofascial trigger points (aTrPs) of the upper trapezius muscles in 20 young adults suffering from migraine. Acceptance was assessed by a standardized questionnaire, whereas self-rated effectiveness was evaluated by headache calendars and the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS). Algometry was performed to explore the local effect of rPMS on the muscles. Results Acceptance of rPMS was shown in all subjects without any adverse events, and rPMS had a statistically significant impact on almost every parameter of the headache calendar and MIDAS. Among others, the number of migraine attacks (p < 0.001) and migraine intensity (p = 0.001) significantly decreased regarding pre- and post-stimulation assessments. Accordingly, 100.0% of subjects would repeat the stimulation, while 90.0% would recommend rPMS as a treatment option for migraine. Conclusions rPMS might represent a promising tool to alleviate migraine symptoms within the context of myofascial pain. This might be due to stimulation-dependent modulation of the peripheral sensory effect within the TCC in migraine. However, sham-controlled studies with larger and more homogeneous cohorts are needed to prove a potential beneficial effect.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)888-897
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Journal of Paediatric Neurology
Volume20
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2016

Keywords

  • Active myofascial trigger points
  • Headache
  • Migraine
  • Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS)
  • Trigemino-cervical complex (TCC)

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