A Pilot Study of Demand Valve Oxygen Inhalation Therapy for Cluster Headache
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2012-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cluster headache is a disorder marked by frequent attacks of short-lasting, severe,
unilateral head pain with associated autonomic symptoms. It is the most severe head pain
syndrome known. Currently, the two most common treatments for cluster headaches are inhaled
oxygen and injectable sumatriptan. These treatments do not work for all cluster headache
patients, and patients who smoke may eventually develop contraindication to triptans. New
treatment options are needed.
An alternative method of oxygen delivery (as opposed to continuous flow) uses a demand valve
that is controlled by respiration rate, allowing increased oxygen flow in response to
increased demand. This system may be more efficacious at stopping a cluster headache attack
than the currently prescribed oxygen delivery system.
This study will compare the effectiveness of oxygen delivered via demand valve versus
continuous high flow oxygen via non-rebreather face mask in the acute treatment of a cluster
headache attack. All patients will treat one cluster headache with each of the 2 treatment
methods.