New research results showed that migraine could be effectively managed using normoxic hypercapnia. The study got published recently in the Journal, Cephalalgia. One of the primary reason behind migraine attacks is the impaired brain oxygen delivery, which can be overcome via normoxic hypercapnia, as the method increases the oxygen delivery in the brain by cerebral vasculature vasodilation and hypercapnia. A compact partial rebreathing device can induce stable normoxic hypercapnia. This pilot study introduced to evaluate primary data regarding efficacy and safety of the device.

Adults with migraine-with-aura self-administered the sham device or partial rebreathing device at the time of migraine attack for 20 minutes. Eleven patients accompanied self-treatment of migraine (21 with sham and 20 with the partial rebreathing device). The mean oxygen saturation and End Tidal CO2 noticed in the partial rebreathing device group was increased up to 97% and 24%, respectively. A significant difference in the incidence of attacks with pain relief at two hours was noticed, as was user comfort. However, the primary endpoint showed no significance. From the first to the second-time usage of the partial rebreathing device demonstrated a considerably increased efficacy. Very mild side effects were seen; however adverse events were not observed. These findings presented normoxic hypercapnia as a promising alternative option to manage the migraine problem.