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  1. Migraine is a common primary headache condition that impacts nearly 15% of the population - BODY.
    1. Migraine is a common primary headache condition that impacts nearly 15% of the population - BODY.
    2. Migraine is a common primary headache condition that impacts nearly 15% of the population - BODY.
  2. Migraine is a common primary headache condition that impacts nearly 15% of the population - BODY.
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What's new?

  • This neurological condition is defined by recurring instances of intense headaches and is frequently accompanied by various other symptoms
    • like sensitivity to light and sound, as well as feelings of vomiting and nausea. Although its precise cause is not completely comprehended,
  • it is presumed to be the outcome of a multifaceted interaction between environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. There are 2 types of migraines: those without an aura and those with an aura.- WHATS NEW
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Key take away

  1. RATIONALE BEHIND RESEARCH
  2. While medications are commonly used as the primary treatment for migraine, their effectiveness is still uncertain. As a result, alternative therapies like scalp acupuncture have been gaining attention. Nevertheless, the available evidence supporting the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture is limited. Hence,
  3. this study was carried out to contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness and safety of scalp acupuncture as a therapeutic option for migraine

Background

Abstrackt background : An aura involves temporary visual disturbances like temporary loss of vision, flashing lights, or zigzag lines that precede the headache, and it serves as a predictor of migraine attacks in about 30% of patients. In the 2017 Global Disease Burden (GBD) survey, it was revealed that approximately 1.25 billion people were afflicted by migraines, ranking it as the fifth most widespread condition globally and the seventh most incapacitating illness worldwide. According to the 2019 GBD study, migraine ranks as the second most prevalent cause of disability among young females.

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the prevalence of migraine is on par with conditions like dementia, quadriplegia, and mental illness, highlighting its status as one of the most severe, enduring, and debilitating illnesses worldwide. Migraines can have a profound negative impact on a person's quality of life, causing severe pain and impeding their everyday activities. Hence, it is imperative to discover useful therapeutic options for migraine in order to enhance the quality of life for those dealing with this illness.
    • The typical approach to treating migraines encompasses a combination of lifestyle adjustments, like evading triggers, enhancing sleep habits, and using medications to alleviate pain and other symptoms. While medications can prove valuable in managing migraines, they present certain challenges. The main challenge lies in the fact that not all people exhibit a positive response to these medications. Additionally, few individuals may encounter adverse effects from the medications, rendering the treatment unmanageable. Excessive usage of these medications for acute relief can result in medication-overuse headache, a condition where headaches become more frequent and more intense.  An additional obstacle lies in the restricted availability of medications that prove effective.
    • A wide array of medications used to address migraines were initially designed for different purposes, such as relieving high blood pressure or alleviating depression. Consequently, their effectiveness in mitigating migraines can be inconsistent. These difficulties have spurred an increasing curiosity in alternative treatments, including acupuncture, which could potentially offer a secure and efficient solution to combat migraines. In contrast to medication, acupuncture is non-pharmacological and does not pose the hazard of side effects or overuse, rendering it an attractive choice for certain individuals.
      • Scalp acupuncture, which is believed to have been developed in the 1970s, is a technique that entails inserting needles through specific locations on the scalp to address a range of health conditions. While acupuncture itself has a long history in traditional chinese medicine (TCM), scalp acupuncture is a relatively recent innovation. This method is thought to be particularly beneficial for conditions that affect the nervous system, like migraines, stroke, and Parkinson's illness, due to its capacity to stimulate specific regions of the brain and the central nervous system.
        • Recently, there has been an escalating interest in using scalp acupuncture as a remedy for migraines. This form of acupuncture
          • , which encompasses needling beneath the aponeurotic layer of the scalp, has the potential to alleviate pain by promoting relaxation of the tissues, modulating the central nervous system, enhancing microcirculation, and regulating blood flow. Numerous studies have explored the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture for migraine; however, the outcomes have not been consistent.
  • While few studies have illustrated a remarkable decrease in the frequency and intensity of headaches, another study found little to no discernible benefit. Additional research is required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the possible advantages and limitations of this therapy in the context of migraines and other nervous system-related conditions

AbstractBackground (en)

Method

wo reviewers collected and analyzed the data independently. For assessment of the robustness of the results, a sensitivity analysis was executed. An iterative meta-analysis was done by systematically eradicating one study at a time. Relative risk (RR) was employed for analyzing dichotomous outcome data to determine treatment effects. When dealing with continuous outcomes, standard mean differences (SMD) were utilized. Point estimates, along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI), were used to represent both dichotomous and continuous data.

Result

Result : The results' graph only depicted the pain score, but it was categorized as a VAS measure based on its mention in the methodology section. Unfortunately, the absence of standard deviation (SD) values prevented the conductance of a meta-analysis of the VAS.

Owing to the restricted sample size, it was unfeasible to investigate the drugs and their dosages separately.

While the authors mentioned the implementation of the MTAQ, they did not provide any corresponding results, leaving uncertainty as to whether other parameters, such as work absence rates and the ability to carry out daily activities, were used instead.

Disappointingly, the work absence rates did not display profound differences, and the study lacked clear criteria for classifying the experimental and control groups.

Additionally, when comparing scalp acupuncture to ordinary acupuncture, no profound differences were observed. Consequently, this study requires a comprehensive reorganization.

Owing to the limited number of studies included and the restricted availability of relevant literature, the quality of some studies appeared somewhat subpar.

Conclusion

Conclistion

  1.    Searches were carried out in several databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure,  Citation Information by NII, National Science Digital Library (NSDL), PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Korean Medical Database, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean Studies Information Service System, and EMBASE.
  2.    The search encompassed the period from the inception of these databases up to September 2022, with no language limitations, in order to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). -Conclusion

Medical history

Medical history : Questionnaires related to migraine: The migraine therapy assessment questionnaire (MTAQ) and migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS) are commonly employed for migraine evaluation. The MIDAS questionnaire helps gauge how headaches affect an individual's life, assess the pain and disability levels, and identify the most effective treatment options. The MTAQ is used to evaluate the degree of migraine management both before and after the intervention.

Examination & lab investigations

Examin lab investigation : For assessing the risk of bias, the RoB 2.0 tool was employed. A meta-analysis was executed utilizing RevMan software (Version 5.4). Determination of the certainty of the evidence was done with the aid of the GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool.  Various factors were taken into account to assess the confidence in the evidence, including imprecision, indirectness, inconsistency, risk of bias, and study design.

The level of confidence in the evidence was graded as high, moderate, low, or very low.  Study bias was categorized into one of three levels: 'some concerns,' 'low risk,' or 'high risk,' based on the following criteria: random sequence generation, deviations from intended interventions, missing or incomplete outcome data, measurement of the outcome, selection of the reported results, and overall bias.

Management

Two reviewers collected and analyzed the data independently. For assessment of the robustness of the results, a sensitivity analysis was executed. An iterative meta-analysis was done by systematically eradicating one study at a time. Relative risk (RR) was employed for analyzing dichotomous outcome data to determine treatment effects. When dealing with continuous outcomes, standard mean differences (SMD) were utilized. Point estimates, along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI), were used to represent both dichotomous and continuous data. management

Discussion

To ensure the reliability of the meta-analysis findings, the robustness of the findings was investigated using two critical metrics: the fragility index (FI) and fragility quotient (FQ) for statistically significant outcomes. The FI was calculated using an online calculator available at http://clinicalepidemio.fr/frgility_ma/. The results were categorized as highly fragile if their FI was less than or equal to 1 or if the FQ was less than or equal to 0.01.- Discussion 

Learning

RevMan software was utilized to perform all the meta-analyses. A quantitative synthesis was carried out with the aid of a standard effects model when there was no statistical heterogeneity. The effect sizes were presented with 95% CIs. The findings were deemed statistically significant if P < 0.05. Q and I² tests were employed to assess heterogeneity presence. A fixed effects model was chosen when P > 0.1 and I² was less than 50%, indicating the absence of significant heterogeneity. - LeARNINGS

Single view content

Scalp acupuncture seems to outperform alternative migraine treatments in terms of effectiveness. But, its safety remains unclear. - Single View Content (en)

References

    or assessing the risk of bias, the RoB 2.0 tool was employed. A meta-analysis was executed utilizing RevMan software (Version 5.4). Determination of the certainty of the evidence was done with the aid of the GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool.  Various factors were taken into account to assess the confidence in the evidence, including imprecision, indirectness, inconsistency, risk of bias, and study design.

    The level of confidence in the evidence was graded as high, moderate, low, or very low.  Study bias was categorized into one of three levels: 'some concerns,' 'low risk,' or 'high risk,' based on the following criteria: random sequence generation, deviations from intended interventions, missing or incomplete outcome data, measurement of the outcome, selection of the reported results, and overall bias.

    Study outcomes

Limitations

Inclusion criteria

(a) Study types

RCTs that specifically addressed the application of scalp acupuncture to relieve migraine were considered for inclusion.

(b) Participants

Participants who had received a migraine diagnosis according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders and had been treated with scalp acupuncture, without any limitations based on gender, race, or age were eligible for inclusion.

(c) Interventions

Those studies were included that primarily focused on scalp acupuncture as the main intervention, along with other treatments like thrombosis therapy, body acupuncture, and electrical stimulation as supplementary therapies. The inclusion criteria were based on the definition of scalp acupuncture, which encompasses the treatment of specific zones on the scalp linked with various body functions and broader regions of the body.

This technique involves inserting needles into a thin layer of loose tissue just beneath the surface of the scalp at a low angle of approximately 15–30 degrees. The insertion depth is typically about 1 cm, followed by rapid stimulation through various methods like pulling, thrusting, twirling, and electro-stimulation. In this analysis, two forms of scalp acupuncture were taken into account: Yamamoto's new scalp acupuncture (YNSA) and Qinshi scalp acupuncture.

(d) Comparison

Those studies were included in which the control group included patients who received alternative treatments, like medications, physical therapy, or sham therapy, as well as those who did not receive any form of therapy.

 

Exclusion criteria

RCTs that did not adhere to the principles of scalp acupuncture theory, such as those that did not involve needling or did not target specific points according to the scalp acupuncture lines, were eliminated.

Studies that incorporated scalp acupuncture as a part of the control group and those with unclear descriptions of their control groups were not considered for inclusion.

 

Study selection and Data extraction

Following the elimination of irrelevant studies through title and abstract reviews, two independent reviewers thoroughly assessed the full texts of each included article. These reviewers systematically extracted, analyzed, and organized data pertaining to the study design, participants, interventions administered, control group treatments, outcomes, and other relevant factors.

The results of the search were subsequently cross-verified. In instances where data were found to be insufficient, efforts were made to reach out to the authors for additional information. If such data could not be procured, the study was expelled from the investigation.

 

Data and Statistical Analysis

Two reviewers collected and analyzed the data independently. For assessment of the robustness of the results, a sensitivity analysis was executed. An iterative meta-analysis was done by systematically eradicating one study at a time. Relative risk (RR) was employed for analyzing dichotomous outcome data to determine treatment effects. When dealing with continuous outcomes, standard mean differences (SMD) were utilized. Point estimates, along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI), were used to represent both dichotomous and continuous data.

To ensure the reliability of the meta-analysis findings, the robustness of the findings was investigated using two critical metrics: the fragility index (FI) and fragility quotient (FQ) for statistically significant outcomes. The FI was calculated using an online calculator available at http://clinicalepidemio.fr/frgility_ma/. The results were categorized as highly fragile if their FI was less than or equal to 1 or if the FQ was less than or equal to 0.01.

RevMan software was utilized to perform all the meta-analyses. A quantitative synthesis was carried out with the aid of a standard effects model when there was no statistical heterogeneity. The effect sizes were presented with 95% CIs. The findings were deemed statistically significant if P < 0.05. Q and I² tests were employed to assess heterogeneity presence. A fixed effects model was chosen when P > 0.1 and I² was less than 50%, indicating the absence of significant heterogeneity.

In cases where P < 0.1 and I² exceeded 50%, indicating substantial heterogeneity, a random-effects model was employed. Owing to the restricted number of studies in each comparison, a subgroup analysis was not conducted.

Clinical take-away

Clinical take away : The results' graph only depicted the pain score, but it was categorized as a VAS measure based on its mention in the methodology section. Unfortunately, the absence of standard deviation (SD) values prevented the conductance of a meta-analysis of the VAS.

  1. Owing to the restricted sample size, it was unfeasible to investigate the drugs and their dosages separately.
  2. While the authors mentioned the implementation of the MTAQ, they did not provide any corresponding results, leaving uncertainty as to whether other parameters, such as work absence rates and the ability to carry out daily activities, were used instead.
  3. Disappointingly, the work absence rates did not display profound differences, and the study lacked clear criteria for classifying the experimental and control groups.
  4. Additionally, when comparing scalp acupuncture to ordinary acupuncture, no profound differences were observed. Consequently, this study requires a comprehensive reorganization.
  5. Owing to the limited number of studies included and the restricted availability of relevant literature, the quality of some studies appeared somewhat subpar.

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