Acupuncture versus medical treatment for migraine headache: quality of life outcome

This study aimed to compare quality of life in patients who receive medical therapy and acupuncture for their migraine headache.
This was a quasi-experimental study, performed on 82 patients with migraine headache attending neurology clinics in Shiraz, Iran. Patients divided in even and odd groups after acceptance to participate in this study. Patients underwent treatment for three months. Patients completed the outcomes health survey (the SF-36) and a visual analog scale (VAS) at two points in time. Then data were compared to assess the therapeutic effects of two methods before and four weeks after treatment.
Quality of life was improved in both groups. However the improvement was marked in patients who received acupuncture.
Acupuncture can effectively improve the quality of life of patients with migraine headache.