Wearable Devices for Migraine Prediction

This trial investigates whether smart devices like an Apple Watch can predict migraines by tracking heart rate and movement. The goal is to determine if this data can indicate when headaches might worsen, potentially leading to earlier and more effective treatments. Suitable participants experience migraines, have seen improvement with current prevention methods, and have 4 to 14 headache days a month. Participants must be comfortable using an iPhone and Apple Watch and willing to log their headaches daily in a digital health app. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance migraine management for many.

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using daily opioids or other daily pain medications, you may not be eligible to participate.

Research has shown that digital health apps, including those for migraines, are generally safe for users. One study compared a prescription-required migraine app to a regular app and found no major safety issues, indicating that using an app to track migraines is usually well-tolerated.

Another study found that migraine apps can improve communication between patients and doctors, suggesting they are safe for regular use without causing harm.

However, some headache apps have shared user information with other companies, posing a potential privacy risk. While this does not affect physical safety, it is an important consideration when using these apps.

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a new way to predict and potentially prevent migraines using wearable technology. Unlike traditional migraine treatments that mainly focus on relieving symptoms with medications, this approach uses an Apple Watch and an eHealth application to monitor and analyze data continuously. This method could help identify patterns or triggers before a migraine starts, offering a proactive option to manage migraines more effectively.

Previous studies have shown that wearable sensors can predict migraine attacks with over 84% accuracy by using sleep data. By tracking sleep patterns, these devices often indicate when a migraine is likely. Research also shows that smartphone apps can reduce the number of migraine days by reminding users to take their medication on time. One study found that a mobile app improved communication with healthcare providers and offered educational content, aiding in better migraine management. In this trial, participants will use a custom eHealth application with an Apple Watch to predict and manage migraines effectively, leveraging these previous findings.¹²⁶⁷⁸