Actively Recruiting
Chiropractic Care for Episodic Migraine
Led by Brigham and Women's Hospital · Updated on 2025-07-09
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
109 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
B
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Lead Sponsor
P
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Migraine, a chronic intermittent headache disorder, ranks in the top five causes of years lived with disability. One promising non-pharmacologic and integrative treatment for migraine may be chiropractic care due to the co-occurrence of migraine and musculoskeletal complaints. The goal of this application is to perform a pilot study of chiropractic care for episodic migraine to help inform the design of a future, full-scale pragmatic effectiveness trial.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Chiropractic Care for Episodic Migraine
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 to 65 years
- Confirmed diagnosis of migraine with or without aura that is not chronic migraine according to ICHD-3 guidelines
- History of migraines for at least one year
- Completion of at least 26 headache diary days out of 28
- Confirmed migraine frequency of 4 to 13 days per month during a run-in period
- Stable dose of medication for migraines for at least 2 months prior to enrollment, if applicable
- Stable dose of medication for non-migraine pain conditions (except episodic tension type headache) for at least 2 months prior to enrollment, if applicable
- Willing and able to complete all study procedures and be randomized to either treatment group
- Fluent in English
- Access to and proficiency with a smartphone, computer, or tablet
- Working email address or willingness to create one for the study
You will not qualify if you...
- Non-Veterans (VAMC only)
- Botulinum toxin treatment for headache or neck pain within 4 months prior to baseline
- Chiropractic care for any condition within 3 months prior to baseline
- Behavioral interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness) within past 3 months
- Use of neuromodulation devices, migraine prevention procedures, investigational medications or devices within 2-3 months prior to screening
- Diagnosis of medication overuse headache according to ICHD-3 guidelines
- Traumatic brain injury within 1 year before screening or worsening migraine
- Head or neck trauma within past year causing neurological or musculoskeletal symptoms needing treatment
- Medical, neurologic, or psychiatric conditions that could affect compliance or safety
- Psychiatric hospitalization in last 6 months
- Receiving hospice or palliative care
- History of carotid or vertebral artery dissection
- Presence of carotid bruits
- Contraindications for spinal manipulation or mobilization including spinal instability, connective tissue disorders, malignancy, severe disc herniation, spinal hematomas, inflammatory spondyloarthropathies, fractures, avascular necrosis, bone-weakening disorders, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, aneurysms, stroke history
- Anticoagulant therapy or bleeding disorders
- Cervical spine anomalies or prior cervical spine surgery
- Current or recent (past 6 months) alcohol or substance use disorder
- Hormone replacement therapy for less than 6 months or unstable dosing
- Significant cognitive impairment
- Currently pregnant or planning pregnancy within 6 months
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Osher Center for Integrative Health, Mass General Brigham
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Pamela M Rist, ScD
CONTACT
V
Viviane Nguyen, BS
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
2
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