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High-flow oxygen therapy in cluster headache patients has no significant effect on nociception specific blink reflex parameters: a pilot study


Quote:

The exact pathophysiology of cluster headache is unclear. We examined the influence of interneurons on the trigemino-facial reflex arch and the effect of oxygen, by using the nociception specific blink reflex parameters.FindingsThere is no significant effect of oxygen, immediately and over time, on the nociception specific blink reflex parameters in ten male patients during the active phase of cluster headache, outside attacks. Also, there is no significant difference between the symptomatic and asymptomatic side. None of the subjects experienced a cluster headache attack during study participation. We therefore present the collected data as reference values of nociception specific trigeminal stimulation and the effect of oxygen on nociception specific blink reflex parameters. Conclusion: The nociception specific blink reflex seems not a suitable instrument for exploring the pathophysiology of cluster headache.

Published on: 2016-02-12

Translating this into English. A medical study was done on CH patients to see how they responded to high flow oxygen and found there was no link to the nociception specific blink reflex.

The only minor problem was that whilst the 10 CH patients were in cycle, not one of them had a CH whilst the study was being performed, which severely limits the value of the study.

Their conclusion is invalid as it does not refer to it being unsuitable when a patient is in cycle but not experiencing a CH.

A contender for the igNobel Prize?

Copy & paste from Wikipedia...corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex, is an involuntary blinking of the eyelids elicited by stimulation of the cornea (such as by touching or by a foreign body), or bright light, though could result from any peripheral stimulus.

Huh? I wonder if taxpayer money was used for this research? What a waste.

Good question Bob G!

Total waste of time and funds to come to a misleading conclusion.