Short-Term Effects of Acupuncture on Balance, and Quality of Life in Women With Migraine: A Pilot Study

NCT07145242 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: Approval No. 6 Sv-HMR-07
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the short-term effects of acupuncture on migraine-related pain, postural balance, and quality of life in women with migraine. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does acupuncture reduce migraine pain intensity? Does acupuncture improve balance and postural stability in women with migraine? Does acupuncture improve quality of life in women with migraine? This study does not include a comparison group. Participants will: Receive six standardized acupuncture sessions over two weeks (three sessions per week). Complete questionnaires on pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) and quality of life (SF-36). Undergo stabilometric balance testing before and after the acupuncture program.

Conditions

Migraine

Keywords

acupuncture, migraine, medicine, balance, quality of life, pain mgmt, stress

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in migraine pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

  Migraine pain intensity will be assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable pain." The primary outcome is the change in mean VAS score from baseline to 2 weeks post-intervention.

  Baseline (Day 1) and at 2 weeks (end of intervention).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in quality of life measured by SF-36

  Baseline (Day 1) and at 2 weeks (end of intervention)

• Change in postural balance measured by stabilometric platform

  Baseline (Day 1) and at 2 weeks (end of intervention)

Study Arms (1)

Short-Term Acupuncture for Migraine

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received short-term acupuncture treatment specifically targeted for migraine accompanied by dizziness. The intervention consisted of six acupuncture sessions administered over a two-week period by a licensed acupuncturist. Standardized acupoints (GB7, GB14, GB20, GV20, LI4, LR3, Yintang) were used, with sterile disposable needles inserted according to traditional Chinese medicine guidelines. Each session lasted approximately 30 minutes. No comparator group was included, as this was a pilot exploratory trial.

Other: Acupuncture

Interventions

Acupuncture OTHER

Intervention Description \* § Add details that will distinguish this intervention from other interventions in this or another clinical study.

Short-Term Acupuncture for Migraine

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: Female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult women (≥18 years)
• Neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3)
• Presence of migraine-related symptoms, including recurrent headaches with or without aura
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy
• Presence of other significant neurological or vestibular disorders
• Severe comorbidities that could interfere with balance assessment
• Contraindications for acupuncture treatment (e.g., skin infections at needling sites, bleeding disorders)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Laura Zaliene: lead
• Pain and Rehabilitation Medicine: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Klaipeda university

Klaipėda, Klaipėda County, Lithuania

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Migraine Disorders

Interventions

Acupuncture Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Headache Disorders, Primary; Headache Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics

Study Officials

• Laura Zaliene, PhD

  Klaipėda University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer, Klaipėda University

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 19, 2025
• First Posted: August 28, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2024
• Study Completion: December 31, 2024
• Last Updated: August 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

LI (1)