A migraine is an extremely painful headache believed to result from the dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Migraines cause intense, throbbing, or pulsating pain on one or possibly both sides of the head.
People experiencing migraines often describe pain in the temples or behind one eye or ear. Migraine sufferers may also experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Some individuals report seeing spots or flashing lights or experiencing temporary vision loss as a warning sign of an impending headache. When migraines occur more than 15 days per month for over three months, they are classified as chronic.
Migraines often start in the morning, and the pain can last from several hours to two days. The frequency of these headaches varies, occurring as often as several times a week for some or as rarely as once or twice a year for others. For many, migraines significantly reduce quality of life and activity during attacks, and their frequency can interfere with the ability to work or carry out daily activities.
Applying of Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for pain management in migraine.
Soheila Mokmeli, Dr. Shoale Nesionpour, Dr. H. Rasoli
Background & Aim: The effects of laser therapy on pain attenuation were established in numerous meta analysis studies. The aim of this study was the measurement of LLLT effects on pain reduction in migraine.
Method: In a randomized double blind study 30 patients were divided in two groups (n = 15). each group was treated by LLLT for 10 sessions every other days. Case group was treated with laser set in turn on situation ( P =100 w wl =890 nm f = 3000 Hz ∆t = 200 ns D = 3 j/cm2 ) and control group was treated with laser set in turn off situation. None of the patients knew about the laser situation. All the patients were allowed to consume acetaminophen and ergotamine – compound if they needed. Pain number = PN (according to visual Analog scale = VAS) and the amount of drug consumption were measured at the beginning, at the end of treatment and 6 months later by a neurologist who was blind about the groups.
Results: At the end of treatment, PN and amount of drug consumption decreased dramatically in laser group compare to control. In addition, PN in case group was lower than control group 6 months later.
Conclusion: LLLT can be applied for pain attenuation and reduction in drug consumption successfully in migraine. We propose a controlled studies with bigger number of cases for better evaluation of LLLT effects on migraine.
Botulinum toxin A (BT-A) versus low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in chronic migraine treatment: a comparison
Luana Mazzacoratti Loeb, Rebeca Padrão Amorim, Maria da Graça Naffah Mazzacoratti, Fulvio Alexandre Scorza, Mario Fernando Prieto Peres
Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate patients with chronic migraine treated with botulinum toxin A (BT-A) and compare this with low level laser therapy (LLLT), referencing: pain days, pain intensity, intake of drugs/self-medication, anxiety and sleep disorders.
Methods: Patients were randomized into two groups: BT-A group (n = 18) and LLLT group (n = 18). Each patient kept three pain diaries: one before (baseline) (30 days), one during treatment (30 days) and one after the post-treatment phase (30 days). Repeated ANOVA plus the Bonferroni post-test, Student’s t test, and factorial analysis were applied, and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant.
Results: Our data showed that both treatments were able to reduce headache days, acute medication intake and decrease the intensity of pain. Anxiety was reduced in the BT-A group, while sleep disturbance was reduced in the LLLT group.
Conclusion: Our data showed that both treatments can be used to treat chronic migraine, without notable differences between them.