Kinetic Oscillation Stimulation for the Preventive Treatment of Chronic Migraine: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background and objectives: The Chordate System administers kinetic oscillation stimulation (K.O.S) into the nasal cavity thereby potentially modulating the activity of trigemino-autonomic reflex. Modulation of this reflex has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target in migraine. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of K.O.S for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine (CM).

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicenter clinical trial, patients with CM were treated with K.O.S once per week over a period of 6 weeks. The primary performance endpoint was the mean change in monthly headache days with moderate to severe intensity (MHDs) from the 28-day pretreatment baseline period to the performance assessment period (days 14-42 of treatment). Mean change from baseline in monthly migraine days (MMDs), proportion of participants with 30% and 50% or greater reduction in moderate to severe headache days compared with baseline, and change in the use of abortive medications from baseline were also assessed during the performance assessment period. Headache-related disability and quality-of-life measures were evaluated up to 70-day posttreatment.

Results: The primary endpoint showed a significantly larger reduction of MHD across the performance assessment period with active treatment (-3.5 days, n = 67) compared with sham (-1.2 days, n = 65) (p = 0.0132). Compared with sham, active treatment consistently also led to significant reduction of MHD during the follow-up period (-2.7 [-4.3; -1.0, p = 0.0014]) as well as of mean MMDs during the assessment (-2.4 [-4.1; -0.7, p = 0.0048]) and follow-up (-2.9 [-4.5; -1.2, p = 0.0008]) periods. 61.8% of participants reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) with similar incidences among treatment groups (63.2% [active], 60.3% [sham]), with nasopharyngitis (8.3%), dizziness (6.3%), and epistaxis (6.3%) being the most common TEAEs. Treatment-related serious adverse events were not observed.

Discussion: The Chordate System provides significant benefits to patients with CM by reducing the number of MHDs. The nonpharmacologic nature of the treatment option positions K.O.S as a valuable addition to the current therapeutic portfolio for the management of CM.

Trial registration information: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03400059) on January 17, 2018. The first patient was enrolled on March 22, 2018, and the last patient completed the study on October 1, 2022. The trial registration initially described the timing of the secondary endpoints incorrectly due to clerical error, and this was corrected to match the protocol and analysis plan once discovered.

Classification of evidence: This study provides Class I evidence that weekly intranasal K.O.S is associated with a reduced number of headache days per month in patients with CM.

Figure 1. Participant Disposition Based on SAF (Actual Treatment)

N = number of participants; SAF = safety analysis set.

Figure 2. Timeline of Treatments and Assessments

Figure 3. Investigational Device Consisting of (A) Chordate Controller S211, (B) the Chordate Catheter, and (C) the Chordate Headband

Figure 4. Efficacy Performance Endpoints (FAS, N = 140)

(A) Adjusted means of change from baseline to treatment weeks 3–6 (primary endpoint) and follow-up period in MHD with moderate to severe intensity. (B) Adjusted means of change from baseline to treatment weeks 3–6 and follow-up period in MMD. (C) Percentage of patients with ≥30% reduction in MHD with moderate to severe intensity. FAS = full analysis set; K.O.S = kinetic oscillation stimulation; MHD = monthly headache day with moderate to severe intensity; MMD = monthly migraine day.