Chennai: Now migraine patients in Chennai and Bengaluru can be free of the pain and the use of drugs with the launch in cities of a cranial neuro-stimulator, called Cefaly.
Manufactured by the Belgium-based company, Cefaly Technology, that produces bio-electronic devices, it has a soothing effect on each of the 12 pairs of nerves that arise directly from the brain and pass through separate apertures in the skull that comprise the cranial nerve. An electrode is placed on the forehead and connected with Cefaly. An adjustable button is available to control the intensity of the therapy.
“Cranial neuro-stimulators that can be implanted in the head are already available in the market.
Unlike those, this removable device can be worn during the occurrence of pain as well as on a regular basis in order to be effective as treatment,” said Dr Prashant Dinesh, president, Everest Healthcare, a distributor of Cefaly.
“People above eight years of age can use Cefaly. It is an effective means of reducing headache when worn for at least 20 minutes a day for 40 days regularly,” he added.
Sudha Suresh, who has been taking tablets for migraine every day and painkillers often, said the device had helped her reduce the intake of painkillers just after trying it once and enabled her to sleep well once there was relief from pain.
Cefaly costs Rs 25,000 and can be purchased from Everest Healthcare’s official website. It is also available for free trial on request.
A study conducted by members of the Belgian Headache Society (BHS) on the users of Cefaly has revealed that in a sample size of 2,300 Europeans, medication in patients was reduced by 75 per cent. People using drugs to cure migraine and those suffering from constant headaches were involved in the study.
The duration of the use of the device by the respondents was monitored by built-in software inside the device: 54.4 per cent of people who used it regularly found the device effective and were willing to purchase it.
“There are many such ways of neuro-modulation, but this is the first time that it is being launched in India and is a good treatment for migraine, especially when drugs fail,” said Dr R. Lakshmi Narasimhan, senior consultant in Apollo Hospitals.
