How Can we Treat Photophobia in Migraine (NCT05369910) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
How Can we Treat Photophobia in Migraine
21 participantsStarted 2015-04-01
Plain-language summary
Photophobia, the aberrantly increased sensitivity to light, is a common symptom in migraine patients and light discomfort is frequently found as a trigger for migraine attacks. In behavioral studies, planned exposure to light was found to reduce headache in migraineurs with photophobia, potentially by increasing habituation to this migraine trigger. Here, neurophysiological mechanisms of light exposure versus light deprivation therapy in migraine patients are investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Migraine patients and healthy controls receive light exposure therapy (Flash) and light deprivation therapy (Dark) for one hour daily on 7 consecutive days, in a crossover design with a wash-out period of three months. Study participants keep a diary including items on interictal and ictal photophobia, headache frequency and severity 7 days before, during, and 7 days after the interventions. One week before and one day after both interventions, fMRI using flickering light in a block design is applied. Functional activation is analyzed at whole-brain level and habituation of the visual cortex (V1) is modeled with the initial amplitude estimate and the corrected habituation slope.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 45 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients:
* Migraine without aura according to the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta)
* 1-4 days with migraine per month in the preceding last 3 months
* A score between 2 and 6 on a numeric rating scale for the intensity of interictal photophobia (range from 0 to 10 (= max. intensity))
* A score \>4 for ictal photophobia
Controls
* No personal or family history of migraine
* A score \<2 for photophobia
Exclusion Criteria:
* Current or previous circadian rhythm disorders
* Current or previous major depression
* Current or previous anxiety disorders
* Current or previous medication overuse
* Besides migraine in the patient group, participants should not suffer from any other recurrent headache apart from infrequent tension-type headaches
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial studied photophobia between migraine attacks, not just during them — does that match what I experience, and is treating that 'interictal' light sensitivity something my current treatment plan addresses?
2Since this trial is listed as Phase NA and has already been completed, would my doctor be able to access any published results or findings that might inform how I could manage my light sensitivity between migraines?
3The trial focused on interventions specifically targeting photophobia in migraine — are there already established treatments for migraine-related light sensitivity that I should try before looking into experimental approaches like those studied here?
4Because this trial is completed, is there any chance of a follow-up study or expanded treatment program I might be eligible for, based on what researchers learned?
5How does ongoing photophobia between my migraine attacks affect my overall migraine management, and should treating that light sensitivity be a bigger part of my care plan?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change from baseline interictal photophobia during and after the interventions
Timeframe: Change in interictal photophobia during the interventions (Flash and Dark, average over 7 days) and after the interventions (Post Flash, Post Dark, average over 7 days) relative to the baseline (average over 7 days before the first intervention starts).