An interventional study of Laser Pen and Observation in Headache, Migraine, sponsored by Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-30.
Sponsored by Taichung Veterans General Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Aims:
To investigate the efficacy of laser-acupuncture for the severity of primary headache and comorbidities, and the Lab data examination.
Methods:
In this hospital-based prospective single blind randomized sham-controlled study, patients over 18 years old with primary headache will be randomly divided into two treatment arms including laser-acupuncture and sham-controlled group. The expected laser-acupuncture protocol will be bilateral BL2, GB20, EX-HN5, GB8, LI4, LR3 and midline EX-HN3 in totally eight sessions at the first month. In the sham-laser-acupuncture group, patients will receive eight sessions of laser-acupuncture for free after unblinding. We expected to track patients for at least half year. The diagnosis and classification of headache was evaluated using the ICHD-3 criteria. The severity of headache was evaluated using Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and headache diary provided by Taiwan Headache Society. The co-primary efficacy end points are change in migraine days per month and variation of MIDAS. The secondary end point is the reducing of the severity of comorbidities including headache related anxiety and depression, and both of the quality of life and sleep.
In addition, patients' characteristics will be investigated as follows:
Importance:
In our hospital, we perform laser-acupuncture for patients with headache for several years. A prospective randomized controlled study is the key tools to establish the efficacy of laser-acupuncture for primary headache, and the Lab data with MMP2, CGRP, substance P, beta-endorphin for approval. Look forward to help improve therapeutic strategies in clinical practice.
Headache is one of the most common complaints encountered in medical institution as known as an almost universal human experience. Approximately 65% of headaches are classified as primary, which was a composite of migraine, tension-type headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia and other primary headaches according to the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). Primary headaches encompass a heterogeneous group of neurologic disorders and might be bothersome for patients.
It's well established that acupuncture can be considered a treatment option for migraine prevention. The efficacy of laser-acupuncture is similar to acupuncture, and laser-acupuncture is a non-invasive therapeutic approach and safety. It could reduce the risk of hemorrhage, infection and needle phobia. However, the efficacy of laser-acupuncture in primary headache remains inconclusive.
MMP2, CGRP, substance P, beta-endorphin are new Lab examination for following up the patients suffered from migraine.
Aims:
To investigate the efficacy of laser-acupuncture for the severity of primary headache and comorbidities, and the Lab data examination.
Methods:
In this hospital-based prospective single blind randomized sham-controlled study, patients over 18 years old with primary headache will be randomly divided into two treatment arms including laser-acupuncture and sham-controlled group. The expected laser-acupuncture protocol will be bilateral BL2, GB20, EX-HN5, GB8, LI4, LR3 and midline EX-HN3 in totally eight sessions at the first month. In the sham-laser-acupuncture group, patients will receive eight sessions of laser-acupuncture for free after unblinding. We expected to track patients for at least half year. The diagnosis and classification of headache was evaluated using the ICHD-3 criteria. The severity of headache was evaluated using Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and headache diary provided by Taiwan Headache Society. The co-primary efficacy end points are change in migraine days per month and variation of MIDAS. The secondary end point is the reducing of the severity of comorbidities including headache related anxiety and depression, and both of the quality of life and sleep.
In addition, patients' characteristics will be investigated as follows:
Importance:
In our hospital, we perform laser-acupuncture for patients with headache for several years. A prospective randomized controlled study is the key tools to establish the efficacy of laser-acupuncture for primary headache, and the Lab data with MMP2, CGRP, substance P, beta-endorphin for approval. Look forward to help improve therapeutic strategies in clinical practice.
Exclusion Criteria:
CM patients with unsatisfactory pharmacological effects receive laser acupuncture for 8 sessions that spanned 4 weeks. Laser stimulation energy of 4.5 J for 30 seconds at each of the following acupoints: bilateral Cuanzhu (BL2), Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Shuaigu (GB8), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and midline Yintang (EX-HN3)
Device: Laser Pen
CM patients with unsatisfactory pharmacological effects receive sham treatment for 8 sessions that spanned 4 weeks. Sham treatment had no laser output.
Other: Observation
Laser stimulation energy of 4.5 J for 30 seconds at each of the following acupoints: bilateral Cuanzhu (BL2), Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Shuaigu (GB8), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and midline Yintang (EX-HN3)
Sham treatment with no laser output, stimulate the same acupoints as laser acupuncture group as follows: 30 seconds at bilateral Cuanzhu (BL2), Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Shuaigu (GB8), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and midline Yintang (EX-HN3) After 6 months followed up, the sham group received truely Laser stimulation energy of 4.5 J for 30 seconds at each of the following acupoints: bilateral Cuanzhu (BL2), Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Shuaigu (GB8), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and midline Yintang (EX-HN3), and followed up for another 3 months.
cGRP
change in cGRP from baasline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
MMP2
change in MMP2 from baasline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Difference in the number of headache days per month
change in monthly migraine days (MMD) from baseline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Difference in the of headache attacks lasting hours per month
change in acute headache medications usage days per month from baseline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Difference in the headache pain intensity (NRS)
changes in the headache severity (based on NRS) between baseline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Difference in the number of days with acute headache medication intake per month
change in acute headache medications usage days per month from baseline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Difference in the Migraine Disability Assessment
changes in the Migraine Disability Assessmen between baseline and each follow-up time point. Title: Migraine Disability Assessmen Maximum value:450 Minimum value:0 Higher scores mean: worsen outcome
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Difference in the Beck's Depression Inventory
change in Beck's Depression Inventory between baseline and each follow-up time point Title:Beck's Depression Inventory Maximum value:63 Minimum value:0 Higher scores mean: worsen outcome
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Difference in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale between baseline and each follow-up time point Title:Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Maximum value:21/21 Minimum value:0/0 Higher scores mean:worsen outcome
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
30% reduction in migraine days
≥ 30% reduction in migraine days between baseline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Substance P
change in Substance P from baasline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
beta-endorphin
change in beta-endorphin from baasline and each follow-up time point
Time frame: 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks
Plan to share: No
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Taichung Veterans General Hospital