Reduce the Pain of Migraines
Reduce the pain of migraines Do you think it possible to reduce the pain of migraines? That is the great challenge of Celafy, which is investigating how to reduce the pain of migraine and headache. Today, his medical expert, we detail on what this new project.
Although so far there was no external neurostimulation device applied to the skull, with our work in collaboration with Pierre-Yves Muller, a Swiss engineer who specializes in researching and developing microcurrent device applied to the skull. Application of electrotherapy to the skull is to treat neuropathic pain. The headache is directly related to the trigeminal nerve. Our anatomical allowed acting on the upper branch of the trigeminal nerve through an electrode.
We conducted initial tests in laboratories to define the parameters of trigeminal nerve stimulation without creating pain. The application of neurostimulation on the skull is more complicated than on the body as the bone is very sensitive to pain and this is very close to the skin. Therefore, the electrical impulses must be extremely specific to not cause pain.
Initial investigations have included to demonstrate the change in the threshold of pain during and after nerve stimulation and to measure the dose-response (phase I) we have made the first foreign head neurostimulation device accessible to the world called Cefaly. The Cefaly technological challenge lies in the quality of the electrical impulses and the miniaturization of components.
We conducted tests to eliminate pain if the headache of tension and reduce pain during a migraine attack.
Then we conducted a series of pilot studies for the prevention of migraine headaches and to treat tension headaches. Obtain good results. In the case of migraines you get a mean decrease in seizure frequency of 28% per month of use (daily use). After 3 months you get a very net improvement and a reduction in seizure frequency and intensity of these.
In the case of headaches 86% of users have noticed a significant decrease in the crisis. (Phase II)
Phase III consisted of a controlled study versus placebo for the treatment of headache. Positive results for tension headaches Cefaly 66% and 28% for placebo after 1 month of use. We are conducting a multicenter study in Belgium controlled to prevent migraine headaches and a second study for the treatment of crisis in Paris.