Migraine & Headache
Headache research has produced some of the most useful new treatments of recent years, and there is plenty still to learn. Studies here look at stopping attacks and at having fewer of them.

- Migraine
- Chronic migraine
- Cluster headache
- Tension headache
- Menstrual migraine
What studies here look at
Studies of attack treatments ask you to take the study medicine when a migraine begins, then record how you feel at set times over the next day. Prevention studies are longer: a tablet, an injection or a device used regularly, with a diary to count headache days before and during treatment.
Some research looks at what sets attacks off, such as sleep, hormones and stress, and tests whether changing them helps. Cluster headache studies often need volunteers during a bout, so timing can matter.
Who studies often look for
Adults with migraine attacks on several days each month
People who have headaches on more days than not
People whose migraines follow their monthly cycle
Adults with cluster headaches, in or between bouts
Each study sets its own requirements. Read this as the people who tend to be asked, not as a checklist.
What taking part might involve
Four things studies in this area often ask of the people who take part.
A headache diary
A few taps on your phone each day, including the days with no headache at all.
A run-in month
Often a month of diary keeping before any study treatment begins.
Treating an attack
Taking the study medicine at the start of an attack, then rating your symptoms.
Check-in calls
Short calls between visits to ask how things are going.
Questions for the study team
Take these to your first call, and note the answers.
- What can I take if the study medicine does not stop an attack?
- Will I need to stop the medicine I use to prevent migraines now?
- How many attacks do I need to record, and over what period?
Hear about studies in this area
Sign up with Migraine & Headache as your area and your ZIP code, and we will text you when a study near you lines up.
Sign up for this areaSee what is recruiting today
ClinicalTrials.gov is the public U.S. list of studies. This search shows recruiting studies for migraine.
Open the registry search