External trigeminal nerve stimulation (e-TNS) is a non-invasive medical device commonly used for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. e-TNS is conducted via a transcutaneous supraorbital stimulator, which delivers mild electric signals to the affected organ. A prospective, open-labeled clinical trial was done at the Columbia University Headache Center with an aim to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of external trigeminal nerve stimulation (e-TNS) through a transcutaneous supraorbital stimulator for the acute treatment of migraine.

A total of 30 participants who were suffering from acute migraine problems with or without aura were included in the study. The patients were given a one-hour session of e-TNS. Pain intensity was calculated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before the treatment, after one hour of the treatment and at two hours after treatment start. Rescue migraine medication consumption was noted at 2 and 24 hours.

Significant reduction in mean pain intensity was noted after the one-hour (57.1%) and two hours (52.8%) of e-TNS treatment. Within the two-hour observation period, none of the patients took rescue medication. 34.6% of patients took rescue medication within the 24-hour follow-up. The study reported no adverse events or subjective complaints.