Health & Medicine
FDA Approves Magnetic Energy Stimulating Device for Migraine Treatment
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Dec 15, 2013 11:34 AM EST
Though many Americans suffer from migraines, common medications and relaxation techniques may not be enough to solve the problem. Fortunately, the FDA has just approved a new migraine device that involves a transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS) through the power of magnetic energy.
You're probably wondering how it works and how magnetic forces could fix a heavy headache? Well, the device helps to relieve migraine pain caused via a sight, sound or "motor disturbance" that causes a headache, also known as an aura.
"Millions of people suffer from migraines, and this new device represents a new treatment option for some patients," Christy Foreman, director of the Office of Device Evaluation in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, according to a statement via the FDA.
By holding the device, officially called the Cerena Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator, to the head and pressing a button, magnetic energy is released that stimulates the ociptal cortex. In theory, health officials believe this would help reduce the pain caused by a migraine.
The FDA conducted an experiment that involved 201 patients with moderate to severe migraines with auras. Of those involved who used the Cerena TMS, it's estimated that 38 percent felt significant pain reduction in less than a two hour period from using the product compared to 17 percent of those in the control group. However, 34 percent of those who used the device reported that they were pain-free after 24 hours.
While researchers are hopeful for the future of the product, at this time, they are uncertain whether patients may have experienced a "placebo effect." Thus, more studies involving the product will need to be conducted.
The health organization also notes that several side effects are listed with use of the device, including dizziness, sinusitis, aphasia and vertigo, and it will be available by prescription only.
However, the organization notes that the TMS may be a sufficient option for those who suffer from migraines but want to avoid taking too many painkillers.
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First Posted: Dec 15, 2013 11:34 AM EST
Though many Americans suffer from migraines, common medications and relaxation techniques may not be enough to solve the problem. Fortunately, the FDA has just approved a new migraine device that involves a transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS) through the power of magnetic energy.
You're probably wondering how it works and how magnetic forces could fix a heavy headache? Well, the device helps to relieve migraine pain caused via a sight, sound or "motor disturbance" that causes a headache, also known as an aura.
"Millions of people suffer from migraines, and this new device represents a new treatment option for some patients," Christy Foreman, director of the Office of Device Evaluation in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, according to a statement via the FDA.
By holding the device, officially called the Cerena Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator, to the head and pressing a button, magnetic energy is released that stimulates the ociptal cortex. In theory, health officials believe this would help reduce the pain caused by a migraine.
The FDA conducted an experiment that involved 201 patients with moderate to severe migraines with auras. Of those involved who used the Cerena TMS, it's estimated that 38 percent felt significant pain reduction in less than a two hour period from using the product compared to 17 percent of those in the control group. However, 34 percent of those who used the device reported that they were pain-free after 24 hours.
While researchers are hopeful for the future of the product, at this time, they are uncertain whether patients may have experienced a "placebo effect." Thus, more studies involving the product will need to be conducted.
The health organization also notes that several side effects are listed with use of the device, including dizziness, sinusitis, aphasia and vertigo, and it will be available by prescription only.
However, the organization notes that the TMS may be a sufficient option for those who suffer from migraines but want to avoid taking too many painkillers.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone