Effect of Vitamin D and/or Marine n-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Changes in Migraine Frequency and Severity: A randomized placebo-controlled trial
Abstract
Background: There is interest in whether supplements, including vitamin D and marine omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, may be effective migraine prophylaxis. However, few studies have evaluated whether vitamin D or n-3 fatty acid supplementation may reduce migraine frequency or severity. Methods: Participants in the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) were assigned to vitamin D3 (2000 IU/d) or marine n-3 fatty acid (1 g/d) supplementation in a two-by-two factorial design. Lifetime history of migraine was assessed a median of 4.6 years after the start of the trial. Individuals were asked to self-report changes in migraine frequency (no change, more frequent, or less frequent) and severity (no change, more severe, less severe) in the past 5 years. We used chi-square tests to compare proportions of individuals reporting changes in migraine frequency and severity between active and placebo groups. Results: Among the 25,871 participants in VITAL, 1032 participants had a history of probable migraine and provided information on changes in migraine frequency and severity. The percentage of individuals reporting decreases in migraine frequency did not differ between active (69.0%) and placebo vitamin D (68.4%) (p-value=0.54) or between active (67.8%) and placebo n-3 fatty acid (69.6%) (p-value=0.82). Similarly, the percentage of individuals reporting decreases in migraine severity did not differ between active (64.1%) and placebo vitamin D (65.0%) (p-value=0.86) or between active (64.5%)…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 25,871 participants or records.
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