With a considerable reduction in the duration, severity and attack frequency of cluster headache, non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) provides exalted outcomes in the context of headache management.

Evidence recommends the non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation as a promising therapeutic alternative for cluster headache (CH) management. This investigation focused on treatment-refractory CH patients to investigate early UK clinical experience with nVNS applied acutely, preventively, or both.

Total of 30 participants was selected. All participants had acted to adjunctive nVNS therapy during an assessment period. Information obtained from treatment diaries, physician notes and patient interviews were compiled with descriptive statistics. Student’s two tailed paired T-test was used for statistical significance.

The mean (SD) CH attack frequency, attack duration and severity reduced to 9.5 attacks/wk., 29.4 minutes, and 6.0 from 26.6 attacks/wk., 51.9 minutes and 7.8, respectively. Application of abortive therapies was also decreased. Beneficial changes in the employment of preventive medicine were also reported. No device-associated severe adverse events were seen.

The introduction of nVNS significantly reduces the CH severity, duration and attack frequency.