Zapping arm nerves may head off migraines in youth

NCT ID NCT07772427

Registered, but not yet taking participants.

First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot trial tests whether a wearable device that sends mild electrical pulses to the upper arm can prevent migraine headaches in children and adolescents when used during the early warning phase (prodrome). About 30 youth with migraine will use either the active device or a sham version at the first sign of a prodrome, and researchers will track whether a headache develops within 24 hours. The study focuses on whether this approach is practical and acceptable for young people, with the hope of offering a non-drug option to stop migraines before they become disabling.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) device
What this could lead to
If effective, this approach could offer a drug-free way to stop migraine attacks before the pain starts in young people.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study focused on feasibility, not proof of effectiveness. The device may not prevent headaches in all users, and some may experience temporary arm discomfort.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 30 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Oct 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Sep 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

8 to 18 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * youth aged 8-\<18 years with a diagnosis of migraine using gold standard International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria * self-reporting 2-14 headache days/month in the last 3 months * reporting prodromal symptoms that predict a headache within six hours \>75% of the time. To proceed past the 60-day screening period to randomization, participants will need to report 3-28 qualifying prodrome events with \>75% of these events followed by a headache within 6 hours. Exclusion Criteria: * the inability to read or understand English * a diagnosis of psychosis, schizophrenia, or moderate-severe autism, moderate-severe developmental delay or moderate-severe intellectual disability * implanted electrical device * uncontrolled epilepsy (i.e., \>2 seizures in the past year) * abnormal skin on both upper arms * arm circumference \<20 cm * severe cardiac or cerebrovascular disease * prior participation in the trial

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Alberta Children's Hospital

    Calgary, Alberta, T3B 6A8, Canada

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