The effect of intermittent hypoxia training on migraine: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To study the effect of intermittent hypoxia training (IHT) for migraine.

Design: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial. All participants were recruited from a rehabilitation department in an acute university-affiliated hospital.

Methods: Participants with migraines were randomly assigned to two groups (IHT group and control group). The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and cerebrovascular hemodynamic parameters were collected at baseline and end of the 8^th week. The attack frequencies of migraines were evaluated at 3 months.

Results: Among the 48 subjects, five males and forty-three females, the ages ranged from 19 to 53 years old (mean ± SD = 31.3±7.78). MIDAS, SF-36, VAS, BAI, BDI, VEGF, CGRP and cerebrovascular hemodynamic parameters were improved after IHT intervention. There were significant differences between IHT group and the control group in MIDAS, SF-36, VAS, BAI, BDI, VEGF, CGRP and cerebrovascular hemodynamic parameters at the end of the 8^th weeks (P<0.05). Attack frequencies were improved within 3 months after IH training intervention (P<0.01), but not in the control group (P>0.05). No adverse events occurred during the study.

Conclusion: IHT could improve migraines after intervention up to three months. IHT could be an effective method for relieving a migraine.

Keywords: Intermittent hypoxia training; migraine.