Determination the sedative effect of intravenous Dexamethasone with and without superficial scalp arteries compression in acute migraine attack

The migraine headache is usually one sided, vary in intensity and duration, lasting from several hours to three days. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Its diagnoseis is based on IHS criteria and there is several methods for the treatment: drugs such as triptans and sedatives, relaxation method and compression on superficial scalp arteries. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of intravenous Dexamethasone with and without superficial scalp arteries compression in acute migraine attack. In this clinical-trial study, 200 ambulatory volunteer patients affected with migraine were randomly divided into two groups. Control group were injected Dexamethasone (8 mg, i.v.) only and case group received Dexamethasone (8 mg, i.v.) as well as superficial scalp arteries compression. Pain scores were measured in both groups before and after intervention according to HIS criteria. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, Wilcoxon and one way ANOVA tests. The average age of patients was 31.4±11 years and 74% of patients were female. The ratio of migraine without aura to migraine with aura was 10 to 1. Pain score was decreased in both groups after the intervention (P<0.01) and pain relieve in case group was significantly more than control group (P<0.05). A brief superficial scalp arteries compression along with Dexamethasone injection can relieve migraine pain better than Dexamethasine alone.