The effect of combined administration of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and Depakene on pain reduction in patients with migraine headaches compared to Depakene alone

Migraine is known as one of the most debilitating diseases with high prevalence worldwide. This study aimed to compare between combined administration of ginger and Depakene (sodium valproate) capsules (intervention group) and the use of Depakene (control group) alone to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ginger in the treatment of migraine.  This randomized one-blind clinical trial was conducted with 80 patients suffering from migraine headaches. A total of 40 patients in the intervention group received two ginger capsules of 250mg manufactured by Zintoma (Gol Darou Co.) along with 500 mg Depakene orally daily for sixteen weeks, and 40 patients in the control group received Depakene (500 mg/d) alone. The variables included the severity of the headache, the number of headaches per month, and the sleep quality of patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics: frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and analytical statistics: χ2, independent t test, and pair t tests.  For pain intensity, the mean score of pain after the intervention in the intervention group was significant so that it was lower than the mean score in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences in disability severity induced by migraine headaches between the two groups after the intervention so that it was lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05).  Administration of the ginger capsule (500 mg) with Depakene (500 mg) was considered to improve pain severity, disability, and sleep pattern in patients with migraine compared to administration of Depakene alone. Therefore, this combination therapy can be considered a choice in the treatment of these patients.