Butterbur root extract and music therapy in the prevention of childhood migraine: an explorative study.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Migraine is very common in school-aged children, but despite a number of pharmacological and non-pharmacological options for prophylaxis, randomized controlled evidence in children is small. Evidence-based prophylactic drugs may have considerable side effects.

OBJECTIVE:
This study was to assess efficacy of a butterbur root extract (Petadolex) and music therapy in primary school children with migraine.

DESIGN:
Prospective, randomized, partly double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.

METHODS:
Following a 8-week baseline patients were randomized and received either butterbur root extract (n=19), music therapy (n=20) or placebo (n=19) over 12 weeks. All participants received additionally headache education ("treatment as usual") from the baseline onwards. Reduction of headache frequency after treatment (8-week post-treatment) as well as 6 months later (8-week follow-up) was the efficacy variable.

RESULTS:
Data analysis of subjects completing the respective study phase showed that during post-treatment, only music therapy was superior to placebo (p=0.005), whereas in the follow-up period both music therapy and butterbur root extract were superior to placebo (p=0.018 and p=0.044, respectively). All groups showed a substantial reduction of attack frequency already during baseline.

CONCLUSION:
Butterbur root extract and music therapy might be superior to placebo and may represent promising treatment approaches in the prophylaxis of paediatric migraine.

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Author information

Author/s: Oelkers-Ax, Rieke (R); Leins, Anne (A); Parzer, Peter (P); Hillecke, Thomas (T); Bolay, Hans V (HV); Fischer, Jochen (J); Bender, Stephan (S); Hermanns, Uta (U); Resch, Franz (F);

Affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Blumenstrasse 8, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany. rieke_oelkers(-atsign-)med.uni-heidelberg.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: European journal of pain (London, England) (Eur J Pain), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Apr; vol 12 (issue 3) : pp 301-13

Dates: Created 2008/02/19; Completed 2008/04/28; Revised 2008/05/16;

PMID: 17659990, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage; therapeutic use
Child
Combined Modality Therapy
Double-Blind Method
Family
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Imagery (Psychotherapy)
Male
Mental Disorders - epidemiology

Mental Disorders - epidemiology
Migraine Disorders - prevention & control; psychology
Music Therapy
Patient Compliance
Patient Education as Topic
Petasites
Phytotherapy
Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; therapeutic use
Plant Roots - chemistry
Prospective Studies
Relaxation Techniques

Associated Chemicals: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (0) ; Plant Extracts (0)

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