The findings of a recent randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind Pre-hospital Evaluation of Sensitive Troponin (PRESTO) trial confirmed that non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is an efficient and reliable treatment approach for multiple migraine attacks. Also, this technique can be safely used as rescue therapy along with the standard medications. It has been found to possibly decrease the risk of medication overuse.

nVNS is a practical and effective approach for the treatment of primary headache disorders but this study provided Class I supporting the efficacy and safety of nVNS for episodic migraine treatment.

On observing for 4 weeks a total of 248 episodic migraine patients with/without aura were randomized as 122 patients to nVNS group and 126 patients to a sham device group for a double-blind period of 4 weeks or until the patient had treated 5 attacks.

Afterwards, all patients were treated with nVNS therapy to study the effects for the 4-week/5-attack open-label period.

The study population for treatment was 243 patients, during the double-blind period nVNS treated significantly more migraine attacks, and offered better pain relief at 60 mins and 120 mins as compared to sham procedure. But the results of the open-label period were consistent with the double-blind period. Moreover, no serious adverse events were observed.

Thus, nVNS can be considered as an effective acute treatment option for the episodic migraine.