Effect of Vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Objective

Migraine is a common disease worldwide and migraine prevention is primarily currently based on pharmaceuticals. The mechanism of Vitamin B2 may positively contribute to migraine. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of Vitamin B2 supplementation on the days, duration, frequency, and pain score of the migraine attack.

Methods

: The PRISMA guideline was used for the studying process. Five electronic databases, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and CEPS were searched from 1990 to March 2019. The search terms were Vitamin B2, migraine, and prophylactic. A meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version.

Results

: Nine articles were included in systemic review and finally meta-analysis. Eight randomized controlled trials and one controlled clinical trial with 673 subjects were analyzed using meta-analysis. Vitamin B2 supplementation significantly decreased migraine days (p = .005, I² = 89%), duration (p = .003, I² = 0), frequency (p = .001, I² = 65%), and pain score (p = .015, I² = 84%).

Conclusions

A pooled analysis of available randomized controlled clinical trials demonstrated that Vitamin B2 400 mg/day for three months supplementation had significant effect on days, duration, frequency, and pain score of migraine attacks.

KEYWORDS:

• Systematic review
• meta-analysis
• migraine
• vitamin B2
• prophylaxis
• headache
• non-pharmacotherapy
• pain

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Cheng Kung University Hospital [grant number NCKUH-11007005].

Notes on contributors

Yu-Shiue Chen

Yu-Shiue Chen is the nurse practitioner and master student. The major is neurology.

Huan-Fang Lee

Huan-Fang Lee is the assistant professor. The major are evidence-based practice, adult care and neurology.

Ching-Hsuan Tsai

Ching-Hsuan Tsai is the Registered nurse. The major are adult care.

Yu-Yun Hsu

Yu-Yun Hsu is the professor. The major are evidence-based practice and women health.

Ching-Ju Fang

Ching-Ju Fang is the Librarian. The major is evidence-based medicine.

Chen-Ju Chen

Chen-Ju Chen is the nurse practitioner and PhD student. The major is evidence-based practice and Gastroenterology.

Yu-Hsin Hung

Yu-Hsin Hung is the master student. The major is perioperative nursing.

Fang-Wen Hu

Fang-Wen Hu is the assistant professor. The major is elderly care.