ACUPUNCTURE IN MIGRAINE - LONG-TERM OUTCOME AND PREDICTING FACTORS

Twenty-six patients (19 women, 7 men), who suffered from chronic migra ine according to IHS criteria, underwent acupuncture. In order to eval uate the long-term stability of treatment effects, patients documented frequency, duration, and intensity of attacks as well as analgesic in take in a migraine diary, which was kept for 5-week periods before tre atment, immediately after treatment, and 3 years later. Data showed im provement greater than 33% for 18 patients (69%) at posttreatment and 15 patients (58%) at 3-year follow-up. Drug intake was reduced to 50% and did not re-increase until follow-up. Treatment outcome was associa ted with personality traits, but not depending on demographic data or severity of migraine.