A recent study found that the Nerivio wearable device can provide steady, long-term migraine relief without losing effectiveness over three years. Nerivio is one of several neuromodulation (nerve-stimulating) devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating migraine.

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These results suggest that neuromodulation devices may offer a viable alternative for people seeking migraine relief, especially those hoping to avoid medication side effects or drug interactions.

How Do Neuromodulation Devices Work?

Neuromodulation devices use mild electrical or magnetic impulses to stimulate specific nerves or areas of the brain involved in migraine. This stimulation is thought to activate the body’s natural pain-regulating pathways, providing relief without medication.

There are several types of neuromodulation devices for migraine. Each works in a slightly different way.

• Remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) devices (such as Nerivio) — Worn on the upper arm during a migraine attack, REN devices send gentle electrical pulses to nerves in the skin. This triggers pain-regulating centers in the brain through a process called conditioned pain modulation.
• External trigeminal nerve stimulators — Worn on the forehead, these stimulate the trigeminal nerve, a key nerve involved in migraine.
• Vagus nerve stimulators — Held against the neck, these deliver impulses to the vagus nerve.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulators — Held against the back of the head, these use magnetic pulses to affect brain activity.
• Combined occipital-trigeminal stimulators — These are worn around the head to target multiple nerve pathways at once.

Some devices are cleared for both acute (to treat an attack) and preventive (to reduce the number of attacks) treatment. Most require a prescription, and many are adjusted using a smartphone app.

While these devices offer a drug-free option, they are not right for everyone. Safety considerations vary depending on the device and the person’s medical history.

What the Study Found

Researchers followed 224 people living with migraine who used the Nerivio device to treat migraine attacks over a three-year period. Among their findings:

• More than 70 percent of users reported some pain relief two hours after using the device.
• About 1 in 4 experienced complete pain freedom at the two-hour mark.
• Up to 71 percent said their ability to do daily activities improved.
• These results were stable year after year.

Crucially, the study found no signs of “tachyphylaxis” — a medical term for when a treatment loses effectiveness over time. Tachyphylaxis is a concern with other migraine treatments.

Only two mild, nonserious skin reactions were reported, and neither person stopped using the device because of side effects.

Why It Matters for People With Migraine

Migraine is a long-term condition, and many people find that medications can lose their effectiveness, cause side effects, or interact with other drugs over time. Neuromodulation devices offer another option, especially for those who have not found lasting relief with other treatments.

If you are living with migraine and not getting enough relief, it may be worth talking to your doctor about neuromodulation devices as part of your treatment plan. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits and determine whether these options are a good fit for you.

Read more about FDA-cleared devices for treating migraine.

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On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

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