Effectiveness and tolerability of acupuncture compared with metoprolol in migraine prophylaxis

METHODS: One hundred fourteen migraine patients were randomized to treatment over 12 weeks either to acupuncture (8 to 15 sessions) or metroprolol (100 to 200 mg daily). The main outcome measure was the difference in the number of migraine days between baseline and the weeks 9 to 12 after randomization (derived from a headache diary). RESULTS: The proportion of responders (reduction of migraine attacks by > or =50%) was 61% for acupuncture and 49% for metoprolol. Both physicians and patients reported fewer adverse effects in the acupuncture group.