Occipital Nerve Stimulation in Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias

Launched by ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES, CALGARY · Jun 16, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a treatment method called occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) for people suffering from a type of severe headache known as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). TACs are known for causing intense pain and other symptoms that can be very difficult to manage. The goal of the study is to see if ONS can help reduce the pain for patients who have not found relief from standard headache medications.

To participate in this trial, individuals need to be aged 18 to 65 and must be diagnosed with the chronic form of TACs by a neurologist. They should have already tried at least three different types of headache medications without success. It's important to note that individuals with untreated psychiatric conditions or those who cannot undergo surgery are not eligible. Participants in the trial will receive the ONS treatment and will be monitored to see how well it works for their headaches. If you or someone you know is struggling with chronic TACs and hasn't found relief from other treatments, this study could be a potential option to explore.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Meets ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for the chronic form of one of the trigeminal autonomic cephalgias (outlined below), as determined by the treating neurologist.
• • Failed standard medical management, meaning at least 3 conventional preventative therapies.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of uncontrolled or untreated psychiatric disease
• • Presence of medical contraindications to surgery
• • Patient does not consent to surgery
• • Non-English speaking