Acupuncture reduces the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks without aura.
Acupuncture may reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks without aura, and brain function characteristics help to understand in advance who would benefit most from such treatment. This conclusion was reached by researchers who published their findings in JAMA Network Open.
In a randomized clinical trial conducted in China from 2021 to 2023, 120 individuals with migraine without aura—the most common form of the condition—participated. Half of the volunteers underwent a course of real acupuncture, while the other half received a sham procedure. Participants received a total of 12 sessions over four weeks. Before treatment began, all underwent functional MRI to assess how different areas of the brain interact with each other.
Patients receiving real acupuncture experienced a significant reduction in the number of days with migraines per month compared to the sham group. Pain intensity also decreased, the need for pain relief medications diminished, and quality of life improved. Many participants noted that their attacks interfered less with daily activities.
MRI analysis using artificial intelligence methods revealed that certain patterns of functional brain connectivity can predict the extent of therapy effects. In particular, the greatest relief was experienced by patients with specific interaction characteristics between areas related to self-reflection, coordination, and movement. According to the authors, this opens the way for a more personalized approach to migraine treatment.
