Transcutaneous nervous stimulation in the treatment of hemicrania and other forms of headache

: Transcutaneous administration of a slightly painful electrical stimulus was employed in the management of migraine and other forms of headache in 35 patients with various pictures of pain. Stimulation during crisis led to its total disappearance in 6 subjects with migraine. A relatively high percentage of successes was noted in the remaining patients, with persistence up to 8 months. The theory of "gate control" is cited to explain this effect. Stress is laid on the particular suitability of the method in the management of chronic headache, since it is not associated with either dependence or toxic medicamentous effects.