Neuropediatrics 2013; 44(01): 025-033
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1333435
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Headache in Children: Update on Complementary Treatments

Stefanie Schetzek
1   Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Florian Heinen
1   Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Sigrid Kruse
1   Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Ingo Borggraefe
1   Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Michaela Bonfert
1   Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Charly Gaul
2   Department of Neurology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany
,
Sven Gottschling
3   Centre for Palliative Care for Children, University Children's Hospital, Homburg, Germany
,
Friedrich Ebinger
4   Children's Hospital, Paderborn, Germany
5   Center for Pediatrics, Department of Neuropediatrics, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

03 October 2012

16 November 2012

Publication Date:
11 January 2013 (online)

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by both physicians and patients with primary headache syndromes. Despite a considerable number of articles addressing CAM in primary headache syndromes, the overall evidence for CAM is still poor. The aim of this review was to give an overview of the current evidence of the main alternative therapies used in the treatment of primary headache syndromes of childhood. MEDLINE and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for articles dealing with complementary and alternative treatment or prophylaxis of headache and migraine published within the past 20 years.

 
  • References

  • 1 Ottolini MC, Hamburger EK, Loprieato JO , et al. Complementary and alternative medicine use among children in the Washington, DC area. Ambul Pediatr 2001; 1 (2) 122-125
  • 2 Smith C, Eckert K. Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine and use among children in South Australia. J Paediatr Child Health 2006; 42 (9) 538-543
  • 3 Shenfield G, Lim E, Allen H. Survey of the use of complementary medicines and therapies in children with asthma. J Paediatr Child Health 2002; 38 (3) 252-257
  • 4 Gaul C, Eismann R, Schmidt T , et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients suffering from primary headache disorders. Cephalalgia 2009; 29 (10) 1069-1078
  • 5 Weissenstein A, Straeter A, Villalon G, Luchter E, Bittmann S. High frequency of CAM use among children in Germany. J Altern Complement Med 2012; 18 (8) 729-730
  • 6 Ernst ERK, Mills S, Hill R, Mitchell A, Willoughby M, White A. Complementary medicine—a definition. Br J Gen Pract 1995; 45 (398) 506
  • 7 (NCCAM) NCfCaAM. What is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)? NCCAM Publication No D347. Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam ; 2010
  • 8 Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL , et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA 1998; 280 (18) 1569-1575
  • 9 Häußermann D. Allensbach-Studie: Wachsendes Vertrauen in Naturheilmittel. Deutsches Ärzteblatt 1997; 94 (39) A2466-A2467
  • 10 Termine C, Ozge A, Antonaci F, Natriashvili S, Guidetti V, Wöber-Bingöl C. Overview of diagnosis and management of paediatric headache. Part II. Therapeutic management. J Headache Pain 2011; 12 (1) 25-34
  • 11 Cheng X. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press; 1987
  • 12 Bodeker G, Ong C, Grundy C, Burford G, Shein K. WHO Global Atlas of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Kobe: WHO Center for Health Development; 2005
  • 13 Pomeranz B, Cheng R, Law P. Acupuncture reduces electrophysiological and behavioral responses to noxious stimuli: pituitary is implicated. Exp Neurol 1977; 54 (1) 172-178
  • 14 Takeshige C, Kobori M, Hishida F, Luo CP, Usami S. Analgesia inhibitory system involvement in nonacupuncture point-stimulation-produced analgesia. Brain Res Bull 1992; 28 (3) 379-391
  • 15 Takeshige C, Zhao WH, Guo SY. Convergence from the preoptic area and arcuate nucleus to the median eminence in acupuncture and nonacupuncture point stimulation analgesia. Brain Res Bull 1991; 26 (5) 771-778
  • 16 Lao L, Zhang RX, Zhang G, Wang X, Berman BM, Ren K. A parametric study of electroacupuncture on persistent hyperalgesia and Fos protein expression in rats. Brain Res 2004; 1020 (1-2) 18-29
  • 17 Ceccherelli F, Gagliardi G, Ruzzante L, Giron G. Acupuncture modulation of capsaicin-induced inflammation: effect of intraperitoneal and local administration of naloxone in rats. A blinded controlled study. J Altern Complement Med 2002; 8 (3) 341-349
  • 18 Jeong HJ, Hong SH, Nam YC , et al. The effect of acupuncture on proinflammatory cytokine production in patients with chronic headache: a preliminary report. Am J Chin Med 2003; 31 (6) 945-954
  • 19 Pintov S, Lahat E, Alstein M, Vogel Z, Barg J. Acupuncture and the opioid system: implications in management of migraine. Pediatr Neurol 1997; 17 (2) 129-133
  • 20 Gottschling S, Meyer S, Gribova I , et al. Laser acupuncture in children with headache: a double-blind, randomized, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Pain 2008; 137 (2) 405-412
  • 21 Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Manheimer E, Vickers A, White AR. Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; (1) CD001218
  • 22 Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Manheimer E, Vickers A, White AR. Acupuncture for tension-type headache. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; (1) CD007587
  • 23 Vickers AJ, Cronin AM, Maschino AC , et al; for the Acupuncture Trialists' Collaboration. Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med 2012; 172 (19) 1444-1453
  • 24 Melchart D, Thormaehlen J, Hager S, Liao J, Linde K, Weidenhammer W. Acupuncture versus placebo versus sumatriptan for early treatment of migraine attacks: a randomized controlled trial. J Intern Med 2003; 253 (2) 181-188
  • 25 Gottschling S, Gronwald B, Schmitt S , et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in healthy children and children with chronic medical conditions in Germany [published online ahead of print July 11, 2011]. Complement Ther Med 10.1016/j.ctim.2011.06.001
  • 26 Hahnemann S. Organon der Heilkunst. Volume 6. Heidelberg, Germany: Huaug Verlag; 1999
  • 27 Rey L. Can low-temperature thermoluminescence cast light on the nature of ultra-high dilutions?. Homeopathy 2007; 96 (3) 170-174
  • 28 Danno K, Colas A, Masson JL, Bordet MF. Homeopathic treatment of migraine in children: results of a prospective, multicenter, observational study. J Altern Complement Med 2012;
  • 29 Muscari-Tomaioli G, Allegri F, Miali E , et al. Observational study of quality of life in patients with headache, receiving homeopathic treatment. Br Homeopath J 2001; 90 (4) 189-197
  • 30 Witt CM, Lüdtke R, Willich SN. Homeopathic treatment of patients with migraine: a prospective observational study with a 2-year follow-up period. J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16 (4) 347-355
  • 31 Walach H, Haeusler W, Lowes T , et al. Classical homeopathic treatment of chronic headaches. Cephalalgia 1997; 17 (2) 119-126 , discussion 101
  • 32 Whitmarsh TE, Coleston-Shields DM, Steiner TJ. Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of homoeopathic prophylaxis of migraine. Cephalalgia 1997; 17 (5) 600-604
  • 33 Straumsheim P, Borchgrevink C, Mowinckel P, Kierulf H, Hafslund O. Homeopathic treatment of migraine: a double blind, placebo controlled trial of 68 patients [see comment]. [see comment] Br Homeopath J 2000; 89 (1) 4-7
  • 34 Walach H, Lowes T, Mussbach D , et al. The long-term effects of homeopathic treatment of chronic headaches: one year follow-up and single case time series analysis. Br Homeopath J 2001; 90 (2) 63-72
  • 35 Frei H, Everts R, von Ammon K , et al. Randomised controlled trials of homeopathy in hyperactive children: treatment procedure leads to an unconventional study design. Experience with open-label homeopathic treatment preceding the Swiss ADHD placebo controlled, randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. Homeopathy 2007; 96 (1) 35-41
  • 36 Jacobs J, Jonas WB, Jiménez-Pérez M, Crothers D. Homeopathy for childhood diarrhea: combined results and metaanalysis from three randomized, controlled clinical trials. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2003; 22 (3) 229-234
  • 37 Mody I, Lambert JD, Heinemann U. Low extracellular magnesium induces epileptiform activity and spreading depression in rat hippocampal slices. J Neurophysiol 1987; 57 (3) 869-888
  • 38 Baudouin-Legros M, Dard B, Guicheney P. Hyperreactivity of platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats. Role of external magnesium. Hypertension 1986; 8 (8) 694-699
  • 39 Altura BT, Memon ZI, Zhang A , et al. Low levels of serum ionized magnesium are found in patients early after stroke which result in rapid elevation in cytosolic free calcium and spasm in cerebral vascular muscle cells. Neurosci Lett 1997; 230 (1) 37-40
  • 40 Coan EJ, Collingridge GL. Magnesium ions block an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated component of synaptic transmission in rat hippocampus. Neurosci Lett 1985; 53 (1) 21-26
  • 41 Wang F, Van Den Eeden SK, Ackerson LM, Salk SE, Reince RH, Elin RJ. Oral magnesium oxide prophylaxis of frequent migrainous headache in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Headache 2003; 43 (6) 601-610
  • 42 Mauskop A, Altura BT, Altura BM. Serum ionized magnesium levels and serum ionized calcium/ionized magnesium ratios in women with menstrual migraine. Headache 2002; 42 (4) 242-248
  • 43 Facchinetti F, Sances G, Borella P, Genazzani AR, Nappi G. Magnesium prophylaxis of menstrual migraine: effects on intracellular magnesium. Headache 1991; 31 (5) 298-301
  • 44 Peikert A, Wilimzig C, Köhne-Volland R. Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study. Cephalalgia 1996; 16 (4) 257-263
  • 45 Köseoglu E, Talaslioglu A, Gönül AS, Kula M. The effects of magnesium prophylaxis in migraine without aura. Magnes Res 2008; 21 (2) 101-108
  • 46 Pfaffenrath V, Wessely P, Meyer C , et al. Magnesium in the prophylaxis of migraine—a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Cephalalgia 1996; 16 (6) 436-440
  • 47 Cete Y, Dora B, Ertan C, Ozdemir C, Oktay C. A randomized prospective placebo-controlled study of intravenous magnesium sulphate vs. metoclopramide in the management of acute migraine attacks in the Emergency Department. Cephalalgia 2005; 25 (3) 199-204
  • 48 Koo B, Becker LE, Chuang S , et al. Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes (MELAS): clinical, radiological, pathological, and genetic observations. Ann Neurol 1993; 34 (1) 25-32
  • 49 Lantéri-Minet M, Desnuelle C. [Migraine and mitochondrial dysfunction]. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1996; 152 (4) 234-238
  • 50 Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 1998; 50 (2) 466-470
  • 51 MacLennan SC, Wade FM, Forrest KM, Ratanayake PD, Fagan E, Antony J. High-dose riboflavin for migraine prophylaxis in children: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Child Neurol 2008; 23 (11) 1300-1304
  • 52 Bruijn J, Duivenvoorden H, Passchier J, Locher H, Dijkstra N, Arts WF. Medium-dose riboflavin as a prophylactic agent in children with migraine: a preliminary placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. Cephalalgia 2010; 30 (12) 1426-1434
  • 53 Condò M, Posar A, Arbizzani A, Parmeggiani A. Riboflavin prophylaxis in pediatric and adolescent migraine. J Headache Pain 2009; 10 (5) 361-365
  • 54 Hershey AD, Powers SW, Vockell AL , et al. Coenzyme Q10 deficiency and response to supplementation in pediatric and adolescent migraine. Headache 2007; 47 (1) 73-80
  • 55 Slater SK, Nelson TD, Kabbouche MA , et al. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover, add-on study of coenzyme Q10 in the prevention of pediatric and adolescent migraine. Cephalalgia 2011; 31 (8) 897-905
  • 56 Eaton J. Butterbur, herbal help for migraine. Nat Pharm 1998; 2: 23-24
  • 57 Oelkers-Ax R, Leins A, Parzer P , et al. Butterbur root extract and music therapy in the prevention of childhood migraine: an explorative study. Eur J Pain 2008; 12 (3) 301-313
  • 58 Pothmann R, Danesch U. Migraine prevention in children and adolescents: results of an open study with a special butterbur root extract. Headache 2005; 45 (3) 196-203
  • 59 Heptinstall S, White A, Williamson L, Mitchell JR. Extracts of feverfew inhibit granule secretion in blood platelets and polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Lancet 1985; 1 (8437) 1071-1074
  • 60 Heptinstall S, Groenewegen WA, Spangenberg P, Loesche W. Extracts of feverfew may inhibit platelet behaviour via neutralization of sulphydryl groups. J Pharm Pharmacol 1987; 39 (6) 459-465
  • 61 Pugh WJ, Sambo K. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors in feverfew. J Pharm Pharmacol 1988; 40 (10) 743-745
  • 62 Makheja AN, Bailey JM. A platelet phospholipase inhibitor from the medicinal herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). Prostaglandins Leukot Med 1982; 8 (6) 653-660
  • 63 Draves A, Walker S. Parthenolide content of Canadian commercial feverfew preparations: label claims are misleading in most cases. Can Pharm J 2003; 136: 23-30 (RPC)
  • 64 Willigmann I, Freudenstein J. Production of a Stable Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Extract as an Active Substance for a Pharmaceutical Product. Vienna: Society for Medicinal Plant Research; 1998
  • 65 Diener HC, Pfaffenrath V, Schnitker J, Friede M, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH. Efficacy and safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in migraine prevention—a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study. Cephalalgia 2005; 25 (11) 1031-1041
  • 66 Beyer WF. Kopfschmerz—was ist osteopathische Medizin?. Manuelle Medizin 2001; 39: 301-303
  • 67 Borusiak P, Biedermann H, Bosserhoff S, Opp J. Lack of efficacy of manual therapy in children and adolescents with suspected cervicogenic headache: results of a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, and blinded trial. Headache 2010; 50 (2) 224-230
  • 68 Vernon H, McDermaid CS, Hagino C. Systematic review of randomized clinical trials of complementary/alternative therapies in the treatment of tension-type and cervicogenic headache. Complement Ther Med 1999; 7 (3) 142-155
  • 69 Nelson CF, Bronfort G, Evans R, Boline P, Goldsmith C, Anderson AV. The efficacy of spinal manipulation, amitriptyline and the combination of both therapies for the prophylaxis of migraine headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1998; 21 (8) 511-519