Clinical Research Directory

Sleep Hygiene Education to Improve Sleep in Chronic Migraine and Back Pain

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether sleep hygiene education can improve sleep quality and reduce pain in adults with migraine and/or chronic lower back pain. Poor sleep is common in people with chronic pain and may worsen symptoms. Improving sleep may help break this cycle. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does a four-week sleep hygiene education program improve sleep quality? 2. Does improved sleep lead to reduced pain intensity and changes in pain sensitivity? This study does not include a comparison group. Each participant serves as their own comparison by completing the same tests before and after the sleep hygiene program. Participants will: * Attend two study visits lasting 30-60 minutes, one at the beginning and one after four weeks * Complete questionnaires about sleep, pain, mood, and quality of life at both visits * Undergo pain sensitivity testing using light pinprick stimulations on the forearm * Receive individual sleep hygiene education and written materials to use at home for four weeks * Complete a short weekly online check-in about sleep habits and pain * Complete a three-month follow-up questionnaire about sleep habits, sleep quality, and pain

Aerobic Exercise and Its Impact on Sensory, Musculoskeletal, and Psychosocial Aspects in Migraine

Migraine is a neurological disorder associated with high levels of disability and changes in sensory processing, musculoskeletal function, and psychosocial factors. Aerobic exercise is a low-cost, non-pharmacological strategy that has shown potential benefits for migraine management, but its effects on sensory perception and musculoskeletal function are not yet fully understood. This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effects of a supervised aerobic exercise program combined with pain neuroscience education compared with an active control condition in women aged 18 to 48 years diagnosed with migraine. Participants will be randomly allocated to either an intervention group, which will perform supervised aerobic exercise three times per week for 16 weeks and receive one session of pain neuroscience education, or a control group, which will receive recommendations for unsupervised physical activity at home. Outcomes related to migraine-related disability, self-reported symptoms, sensory sensitivity, and musculoskeletal function will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period. Questionnaires will also be collected at a 6-month follow-up. The results of this study may contribute to the development of accessible and low-risk non-pharmacological treatment strategies for people with migraine.

Yogabased Movements for Primary Headaches (Migraine and/or Cluster Headache) - YOURHEAD - a Pilot Study

Migraine and/or Cluster Headache: Study Overview \*\*Background:\*\* Migraine and cluster headache are two primary headache disorders that significantly impact quality of life and functionality in those affected. According to the WHO's recurring burden of disease reports, migraine is among the neurological conditions responsible for the highest number of years lost due to illness. The headaches associated with migraine and cluster headache range from moderate to severe and cause great suffering. Available treatments do not work for everyone and are often associated with adverse side effects. Physical activity has been shown in several studies to have a positive effect on headache. Given the high prevalence of mental health issues, stress, and sleep problems within this patient group, relaxation and low-intensity exercise such as yoga-based movements (YB) could potentially help individuals improve sleep and well-being, while also providing some preventive effect on headaches. \*\*Hypothesis:\*\* Individuals with severe migraine or cluster headache have a strong need for new treatment options. Alternative therapies such as yoga-based exercises, when combined with standard medical treatment as per clinical guidelines, may positively impact: 1. Headache symptoms 2. Sleep quality 3. Overall life quality \*\*Purpose and Goals:\*\* This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibiiity of a web-based yoga or live face to face (FTF) intervention in individuals suffering from severe primary headaches-mainly chronic migraine and/or cluster headache. The study will assess the effect of YB on health-related quality of life, with a focus on sleep quality and mental health as depression and anxiety. A secondary objective is to analyze changes in headache frequency, intensity, and duration associated with primary headache conditions. The pilot study will follow later on with a RCT study (will be registered later). The RCT study will have a comparison group to conventional treatment. \*\*Relevance for the Patient Group:\*\* The core objective of the project is to determine whether yoga-based exercises can serve as a complementary treatment to enhance quality of life and health in patients with severe primary headache. To ensure equal healthcare access, this intervention will be delivered in digital format and/or FTF to optimize availability and expand care for individuals with primary headache disorders. These efforts aim to improve life quality and well-being in a vulnerable patient population. Headache conditions often affect individuals in their most productive years, and many live with symptoms for decades. Both work and private life are frequently disrupted, resulting in sick leave and social isolation. Close relatives are also affected, as those suffering from headaches require more recovery time to cope with daily life. With this proposed project, we aim to use physical yoga, rooted in holistic traditional medicine, to help individuals with severe primary headache achieve better physical and mental health-particularly improved sleep quality, which in turn enhances overall life quality.

Yogabased Movements for Primary Headaches (Migraine and/or Cluster Headache) - YOURHEAD

Brief Summary: Migraine and/or Cluster Headache: Study Overview \*\*Background:\*\* Migraine and cluster headache are two primary headache disorders that significantly impact quality of life and functionality in those affected. According to the WHO's recurring burden of disease reports, migraine is among the neurological conditions responsible for the highest number of years lost due to illness. The headaches associated with migraine and cluster headache range from moderate to severe and cause great suffering. Available treatments do not work for everyone and are often associated with adverse side effects. Physical activity has been shown in several studies to have a positive effect on headache. Given the high prevalence of mental health issues, stress, and sleep problems within this patient group, relaxation and low-intensity exercise such as yoga-based movements (YB) could potentially help individuals improve sleep and well-being, while also providing some preventive effect on headaches. \*\*Hypothesis:\*\* Individuals with severe migraine or cluster headache have a strong need for new treatment options. Alternative therapies such as yoga-based exercises, when combined with standard medical treatment as per clinical guidelines, may positively impact: Headache symptoms, Sleep quality and Overall life quality * Purpose and Goals:\*\* This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of a web-based yoga (YB) or live face to face (FTF) intervention in individuals suffering of primary headaches-mainly chronic migraine and/or cluster headache. The study will assess the effect of YB on health-related quality of life, with a focus on sleep quality and mental health as depression and anxiety. A secondary objective is to analyze changes in headache frequency, intensity, and duration associated with primary headache conditions. The RCT will also measure objective sleep and biomarkers. We are now investigating a pilot study. * Relevance for the Patient Group:\*\* The core objective of the project is to determine whether yoga-based exercises can serve as a complementary treatment to enhance quality of life and health in patients with severe primary headache. To ensure equal healthcare access, this intervention will be delivered in digital format and/or FTF to optimize availability and expand care for individuals with primary headache disorders. These efforts aim to improve life quality and well-being in a vulnerable patient population. Headache conditions often affect individuals in their most productive years, and many live with symptoms for decades. Both work and private life are frequently disrupted, resulting in sick leave and social isolation. Close relatives are also affected, as those suffering from headaches require more recovery time to cope with daily life. With this proposed project, we aim to use physical yoga, rooted in holistic traditional medicine, to help individuals with severe primary headache achieve better physical and mental health-particularly improved sleep quality, which in turn enhances overall life quality.

Effectiveness of Tai Chi and Acupuncture on Migraine Attack Prevention and Brain White Matter Changes: A Non-Inferiority RCT

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness of Tai Chi training and acupuncture on the migraine attacks and structural brain changes in women with episodic migraine. Researchers will compare Tai Chi training to acupuncture treatment in a randomized controlled trial with 132 female participants. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to either the Tai Chi group or the acupuncture group. * Undergo a 24-week intervention, with structured sessions for Tai Chi or scheduled acupuncture treatments. * Complete assessments through migraine diaries, questionnaires, physical measurements, MRI and TCD scans at various time points. The study ensures participant safety through close monitoring, with medical support available in case of discomfort. Data confidentiality will be maintained, with encrypted storage and restricted access for research purposes.

Neurophysiological and Biomolecular Effects of Atogepant in Episodic Migraine

The investigators aim to assess and compare neurophysiological and biochemical changes induced by a 3-month treatment with atogepant (60 mg daily) in patients with high-frequency episodic migraine (8-14 monthly migraine days). Evaluations will include neurophysiological assessments (High-Density EEG, nociceptive reflexes, and visual evoked potentials) and biomolecular profiling (gene expression of endocannabinoid catabolizing enzymes, CGRP and PACAP plasma levels, and headache-specific microRNAs). Outputs will contribute to defining predictors of atogepant response, elucidating its effects on brain connectivity, excitability, and CGRP/endocannabinoid pathways, and identifying alternative therapeutic targets for non-responders.