The effect of bilateral block of greater occipital nerve on chronic migraine

Abstract EN

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of bilateral block of greater occipital nerve on chronic migraine pain level.

Methods: To achieve the purpose of the study one group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used.

Thirty patients participated in the study during their regular visits to the pain clinic in King Hussein Medical Center.

All participants received Greater Occipital Nerve Block by steroids and a local anesthetic agent injection.

The pain intensity was measured by the Numeric Rating Scale.

Results: The study showed that Greater Occipital Nerve Block significantly reduce migraines pain levels.The mean of pain intensity decreased from 7.33 to 4.80, on a scale of 0 to 10, and lasting to a significant level out to three months (P<0.001).

The average of weekly number of total migraine attacks also declined significantly from 4.15 to 1.56 attacks per week.

Conclusion: Despite current advancements in oral medications, migraine pain is still undertreated.

Greater Occipital Nerve Block can be used to relieve migraine induced pain and improve patients’ function and quality of life.