Belgium-based Cefaly-Technology has developed a new device that embraces transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) technology to prevent migraine – a technique more commonly associated with treatment of muscular pain and labour pains.
Belgium-based Cefaly-Technology has developed a new device that embraces transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) technology to prevent migraine – a technique more commonly associated with treatment of muscular pain and labour pains.
Dealing with migraine has historically been a difficult task with very few drug treatments available to market which are globally effective, and treatment is historically based on analgesics, anti-inflammatories and Triptan based medications, reports emdt. However all are pharmaceutical-based, are not appropriate for prophylaxis, and mostly available only on prescription.
The Cefaly device is battery operated and worn over the front of the forehead. The TENS transmitter manufactured by STX-Med connects to the body via a disposable electrode and using a conducting gel.
Activated with a single push button action, it produces short impulses in order to stimulate the trigeminal nerve branches located under the skin in the forehead, which the developers claim can now effectively reduce the recurrence of migraine attacks if used on a regular basis.
The Cephaly device has been approved in Europe and Canada for prevention of migraine, and most recently in March 2014 has been FDA-approved for use in the US.