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Migraine Headache, EpisodicNCT01899040

A Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Device for Treatment of Migraine Headache

A study testing neuromodulation for episodic migraine headache in people with Migraine Headache, Episodic, run by Scion NeuroStim at 6 sites in 2 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This is a randomized, blinded study designed to assess the efficacy of a portable, non-invasive neuromodulation system for the treatment of episodic migraine headaches. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Migraine Headache, Episodic
What is being tested?
neuromodulation for episodic migraine headache
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
100 participants
Where
6 sitesin 2 countries
Study dates
Aug 2013to Jun 2016
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • The patient must have been diagnosed with episodic Migraine Headache at least 6 months prior to entering into the Study, consistent with the International Headache Classification of Headache Disorders-II (ICHD-II) guidelines.
  • The patient must have a history of at least three consecutive months of stable Migraine Headaches prior to entering the Study. The patients will not have had changes in medication usage for the three Months leading up to the Study, nor will they introduce new medications during the Study period. Patients will satisfy these criteria: On a Monthly basis, at least four, and not more than a total of fourteen (4-14), Headache Days (Pain Score between one and ten) of which between four and nine (4-14) are Migraine Headache Days
  • The patient must not have failed on more than two classes of properly administered prophylactic pharmaceutical therapies for migraine headache. The patient may be on a single migraine prophylactic as long as the dosage has not been altered within 3 months of starting the study and the dosage must not be altered for the duration of the study.
  • The Investigator must have confidence in the patient's ability to reliably use the Experimental Device and promptly complete the Daily Headache Diary forms. The Daily Headache Diary will be completed from the beginning of the Pre-Treatment Baseline Period through the end of the Pivotal Study.

Who cannot join

  • Individuals who:
  • are pregnant
  • have a history of cardiovascular disease
  • work night shifts
  • have been diagnosed with vestibular migraine
  • have been diagnosed with migraine with aura
Show all 24Show fewer
  • have menstrual migraine exclusively
  • have been diagnosed with post-traumatic migraine
  • have a history of unstable mood disorder or unstable anxiety disorder
  • use a hearing aid
  • have a cochlear implant
  • have chronic tinnitus
  • have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease
  • have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • have been diagnosed with neurological disease other than Headaches
  • have a diagnosed vestibular dysfunction
  • abuse alcohol or other drugs
  • are experiencing medication overuse Headaches (individuals with respect to whom the Investigator is concerned that analgesic abuse is involved based on the ICHD-II guidelines).
  • are younger than 18 years or older than 65 years
  • have had eye surgery within the previous three months or ear surgery within the previous six months
  • have active ear infections or a perforated tympanic membrane
  • have participated in another clinical trial within the last 30 days or are currently enrolled in another clinical trial
  • are using Botox treatments for migraines
  • Though not excluded, patients taking anti-histamines or anti-nausea drugs will be encouraged not to take such medications within four hours prior to using the Device. The Investigator should review other medications taken by the patient with properties that mimic anti-nausea or anti-dizziness drugs as these may reduce responsiveness to stimulation. Such medications should also be avoided within four hours prior to a treatment.

Trial locations and contacts

6 sites in 2 countries.

6 sites in 2 countries

United States5 sites
  • Michigan Headache and Neurological Institute

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104

  • Carolina Headache Institute

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516

  • Duke University

    Durham, North Carolina, 27705

  • Headache Wellness Center

    Greensboro, North Carolina, 27405

  • Naval Medical Center

    San Diego, California, 92134

Other trials in United States

United Kingdom1 site
  • Kent University

    Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NP

Other trials in United Kingdom

About this study

This is a randomized, blinded study designed to assess the efficacy of a portable, non-invasive neuromodulation system for the treatment of episodic migraine headaches.

Read the detailed description

This is a multi-center, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized pivotal trial evaluating the adjunctive prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine headache using a caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) device developed by Scion NeuroStim, LLC (SNS). This study has been reviewed by the FDA and is categorized as posing NSR (nonsignificant risk).

Being tested
neuromodulation for episodic migraine headache
Keywords
neuromodulation, migraine headache, CVS
Medical subject headings
Migraine Disorders, Recurrence

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • neuromodulation for episodic migraine headacheDevice

Study groups in NCT01899040
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
active deviceActive comparatorA standardized active neuromodulation waveform will be used for all active Device patients at all Study sites. The Device will be used twice daily.
Receives: Device: neuromodulation for episodic migraine headache
placebo devicePlacebo comparatorA standardized placebo neuromodulation waveform will be used for all placebo Device patients at all Study sites. The Device will be used twice daily.
Receives: Device: neuromodulation for episodic migraine headache

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Number of Monthly Migraine Headache Days

    Change in the average total number of Monthly Migraine Headache Days (number of days in the month that a participant experienced a migraine) after 3 months of treatment comparable to the pre-device use Baseline Period of 1 month, as reported in a headache diary. Negative number indicated improvement (a reduction in the average number of migraine headache days experienced per month).

    Measured: after 84 days of Device use

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Number of Monthly Migraine Headache Days (Reduction by by 50% or More)

    Number of participants that experienced a reduction of 50% or more in Monthly Migraine Headache Days (total days during a month on which a migraine occurred) during the third month of device use as compared with their pre-device use Baseline Period.

    Measured: after 84 days of Device use

  2. Total Monthly Headache Pain Score

    After three months of Device use, the average Total Monthly Headache Pain Score compared to the average derived from the Pre-use Baseline Period (1 month). This is calculated by adding the cumulative maximum pain scores for all days the subject had a headache, as noted as the maximum daily headache pain score on a scale of 1 (lowest pain)-10 (highest pain) for each headache day as reported by the subject in their daily headache diary. Each month was counted as 28 days. Therefore, the total possible score for each month was 28-280. A negative number indicates a reduction in pain score.

    Measured: after 84 days of Device use

  3. (Safety Measure) Mood and Cognition - Change in Beck Depression Index Score

    A patient's Pre-device use Baseline Period mood score from the Beck Depression Index is compared with those at the end of the 3 month Device use period. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-item, self-report rating inventory that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression, with each of the 21 items, rated on a 4-point scale (0-3). The total scores rage from 0-63. The higher the score the more depressed. Mood scores are assessed for: decline, no change, or an improvement. A negative score indicates improvement in mood.

    Measured: after 84 days of Device use

  4. (Safety Measure) Dizziness: Verify the Absence of Change in Material Dizziness (Berg Balance)

    The purpose of this study endpoint is to verify, using the Berg Balance test, the absence of change in material dizziness (with the associated risk of falls) as a consequence of using the Device. The test consists of 14 balance- related tasks ranging from standing up from a sitting position to standing on one foot. Each task is graded from 0 - 4, and the final measure is the sum from all elements of the Test: • 41-56 = low risk of fall • 21-40 = medium risk of fall • 0-20 = high risk of fall. Possible scores range from 0-56. Scores of zero indicate no change in balance.

    Measured: after 84 days of Device use

  5. (Safety Measure) Mood and Cognition - Change in Digit Symbol Coding Cognitive Speed

    A patient's Pre-use Baseline Period cognitive speed scores, using the Digit Symbol Coding assessment, will be compared with those at the end of the Device use period. The Digit-Symbol Subtest of the WAIS-III, is a timed pencil-and-paper task that measures processing speed and visual-motor coordination. It involves matching symbols to numbers using a key, with the goal of completing as many correct matches as possible within a 120-second time limit. The number of correct matches completed is counted. The lowest possible count is 0 (zero correct matches). The higher the number of correct matches completed, the better the cognitive speed of the participant. Cognitive speed will be assessed for: a decline, no change, or an improvement. A positive number indicates improvement.

    Measured: after 84 days of Device use

  6. (Safety Measure) Mood and Cognition Measure - Change in Short Term Memory Test Scores

    A patient's Pre-use Baseline Period memory scores, using Short Term memory test (an old/new paradigm for face recognition) are compared with those at the end of the 3-month Device use period. This assessment was created by the study Neuropsychologist where participants were shown faces at baseline then shown another set which included a subset then had seen before and had to say if they had seen them before later during the visit (to test short term memory). Scores range from 0-10. Higher scores indicate better short term memory. Memory scores were assessed for: a decline, no change, or an improvement from baseline to the end of treatment month 3. A negative score indicates improvement.

    Measured: after 84 days of Device use

  7. Average of Monthly Treated Headaches (Acute Anti-migraine Prescription Drug Intake)

    This measures counts the number of times abortive medications are taken. The baseline count is subtracted from the third month count. A negative number indicates a reduction in abortive medications used. The greater the negative number, the more reduced the use of abortive medications.

    Measured: after 84 days of device use

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Jul 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2013
  3. Primary completionMay 2016
  4. Study completionJun 2016

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
The study was designed with two arms - active and placebo. The devices for the first 20 placebo-randomized participants were found to be partially active. Therefore, the fully placebo arm was separated into placebo and partially active placebo. Only the active and placebo arms were followed (and outcomes posted) for effectiveness. All (active, placebo, and partially active) were followed and outcomes posted for safety.
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
100 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01899040
Sponsor's protocol ID
SNS-MIG-01
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
29 Jun 2013
Last updated
31 May 2025
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Wilkinson D, Ade KK, Rogers LL, Attix DK, Kuchibhatla M, Slade MD, Smith LL, Poynter KP, Laskowitz DT, Freeman MC, Hoffer ME, Saper JR, Scott DL, Sakel M, Calhoun AH, Black RD. Preventing Episodic Migraine With Caloric Vestibular Stimulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Headache. 2017 Jul;57(7):1065-1087. doi: 10.1111/head.13120. Epub 2017 Jun 27.

    PubMed 28656612

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing neuromodulation for episodic migraine headache in people with Migraine Headache, Episodic, run by Scion NeuroStim at 6 sites in 2 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 24 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 6 sites in United States, United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 31 May 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Number of Monthly Migraine Headache Days (time frame: after 84 days of Device use). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01899040, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 May 2025.

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