A randomized controlled trial of acupressure as an adjunctive therapy to sodium valproate on the prevention of chronic migraine with aura

Background: The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using acupressure as an adjunctive therapy to sodium valproate (SV) combined with acupressure (ASV) on the prevention of chronic migraine with aura (CMA). Methods: Atotal of98patients withCMAwere randomlydividedinto an intervention groupanda control group, with49patients in each group. The patients in the intervention group received ASV, while the participants in the control group received SV alone. The primary outcomewasmeasuredby the numeric ratingscale (NRS). The secondaryoutcomes includingfrequencyofmigraine attacks, the timesof using analgesics, and quality of life, measured by the short-form36 Health Survey Scale (SF-36) score. In addition, adverse events (AEs) were also recorded throughout the trial. The outcomes were measured at the end of the 8-week treatment, and 4-week follow-up. Results: After the 8-week treatment and 4-week follow-up, ASV efficacy was not greater than that of SV alone regarding pain relief, as measured using the NRS, and frequency of migraine attacks, consumption of analgesics, and quality of life, as measured using the SF-36. However, ASV can significantly reduce the nausea when compared with SV (P=. 04). Conclusion: The present results indicate that ASV can decrease migraine-related nausea during treatment, but cannot relieve pain or enhance quality of life in patients with CMA.