A randomised controlled trial enrolled 3182 patients with migraine and/or tension headache, to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in addition to routine care, compared with routine care alone. At three months, the number of days with headache had decreased more in the acupuncture group than in the group receiving routine care alone. Furthermore, intensity of pain and quality of life improvements were greater in the acupuncture group.
The researchers concluded that acupuncture plus routine care in patients with headache, was associated with marked clinical improvements compared with routine care alone.
(Acupuncture in Patients with Headache. Cephalalgia Journal, 1 September 2008.)