(March 5, 2010 - Insidermedicine)

A device that delivers a magnetic pulse to the back of the head may offer an alternative, non-drug treatment for migraine, according to research published online ahead of print in The Lancet Neurology.

Here is some information about transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS

•    It is a procedure in which magnetic fields are used to stimulate nerve cells in the brain

•    To deliver the treatment, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp

•    The coil is attached to a small device that delivers an electric current to the coil, causing it to send a pulse of electromagnetic energy to the brain

Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York randomly assigned over 200 adults suffering from migraines with auras to use single-pulse TMS or a sham device that looked similar but did not actually produce a magnetic pulse. The participants were instructed to use the device to treat up to three migraine attacks while experiencing an aura over a three month period.

Among the 164 participants who used their device to treat an attack, 39% were pain-free after two hours in the group that had a real TMS device, compared with only 22% of those using a sham device. Those with the real device were also more likely to have sustained pain relief for 24 or 48 hours.

Today's research highlights the potential of TMS for the treatment of migraine headaches. If headache pain interferes with your life, discuss treatment options with your health care provider.