• Li Jiang, Dong Li Yuan, Maolin Li, Chaoyang Liu, Qing Liu, Yixin Zhang, and Ge Tan.
• Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
• Acta Neurol. Scand. 2019 Mar 1; 139 (3): 276-283.

ObjectiveThis study is aimed to access the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of flunarizine plus transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulation (tSNS) compared with either flunarizine or tSNS alone for migraine prophylaxis.MethodsPatients with episodic migraine were enrolled and randomized into 3 groups. Flunarizine 5 mg per day, or tSNS for 20 minutes daily or combination of both were prescribed consecutively for 3 months. The primary outcome measures were changes in migraine days and 50% responder rate of monthly migraine days. Secondary outcome measures were the changes in migraine intensity and intake of rescue medication. Finally, satisfaction to treatment and adverse effect were evaluated as well.ResultsA total of 154 were randomized and included in the analysis. After 3 months, the monthly migraine days were decreased in 3 groups and more significant in the combination group. The 50% responder rate was significantly higher (78.43%) in the combination therapy than monotherapy of flunarizine (46.15%) or tSNS (39.22%) alone. Greater reduction of migraine intensity and intake of rescue medication was observed in combination group. There was no difference of adverse events between flunarizine group and combination group (P = .89).ConclusionAdding tSNS to flunarizine can improve the therapeutic efficacy of migraine prophylaxis without increasing the adverse effects. In addition, tSNS is effective and safe for migraine treatment and can be a valid option for migraineurs who are reluctant to take oral medications or for patients who experience a low-migraine frequency and/or intensity that prophylactic therapy is not indicated but desire to acquire medical intervention.© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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