Effect of Vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: Migraine is a common disease worldwide and migraine prevention is primarily currently based on pharmaceuticals. The mechanism of Vitamin B2 may positively contribute to migraine. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of Vitamin B2 supplementation on the days, duration, frequency, and pain score of the migraine attack.

Methods: : The PRISMA guideline was used for the studying process. Five electronic databases, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and CEPS were searched from 1990 to March 2019. The search terms were Vitamin B2, migraine, and prophylactic. A meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version.

Results: : Nine articles were included in systemic review and finally meta-analysis. Eight randomized controlled trials and one controlled clinical trial with 673 subjects were analyzed using meta-analysis. Vitamin B2 supplementation significantly decreased migraine days (p = .005, I² = 89%), duration (p = .003, I² = 0), frequency (p = .001, I² = 65%), and pain score (p = .015, I² = 84%).

Conclusions: A pooled analysis of available randomized controlled clinical trials demonstrated that Vitamin B2 400 mg/day for three months supplementation had significant effect on days, duration, frequency, and pain score of migraine attacks.

Keywords: Systematic review; headache; meta-analysis; migraine; non-pharmacotherapy; pain; prophylaxis; vitamin B2.