Anticephalgic photoprotective premedicated mask. A report of a successful double-blind placebo-controlled study of a new treatment for headaches with associated frontalis pain and photophobia.

This study was performed to determine the efficacy of an anticephalgic photoprotective premedicated mask in the treatment of migraine and/or tension-type headaches. There were 54 patients. They were given masks and numbered bottles of topical medication containing either salicin or placebo. The patients were instructed to apply the medication to their frontalis region in the event they should suffer a headache, apply a photoprotective mask, and lie down. Furthermore, they were instructed to take their usual oral or parenteral medications, if required, for relief of the headache. They subsequently filled out forms rating the degree of relief which they attributed to the topical medications and the masks using a 0 to 10 scale. They were also simply asked if this form of treatment helped or not. Seven of the 20 patients receiving placebo stated the medication and mask helped. The placebo group rated the treatment an average of 4.31 on a 0 to 10 scale. Twenty-eight of 34 patients receiving salicin stated it was effective. The salicin group rated it 7.42 on a 0 to 10 scale (P < 0.001). The majority of the salicin patients stated the duration of their headaches was significantly reduced, as was their need for analgesic and/or narcotic medications. This study demonstrates a significant difference between placebo and salicin in association with the photoprotective mask in treating migraines and/or tension-type headaches with associated frontalis pain and photophobia.