Choosing the Best Neuromodulation Devices for Migraine and Cluster Headaches

There are 5 neuromodulation devices that are FDA cleared for abortive (acute) and most are also FDA cleared for preventive migraine treatment too. These include SAVI Dual, Cefaly, GammaCore, Nerivio, and Relivion MG. They have all been shown to be effective migraine treatments, without the need for a pill.

I love the concept of neuromodulation devices because migraine is an electrical event that occurs in the brain. Think of your brain immersed in an electrical storm during a migraine. I think of neuromodulation devices like a reset button, as if you are rebooting a malfunctioning device. It doesn’t involve taking another pill or medicine, which is always a bonus.

These neuromodulation devices provide a non-pill electrical stimulation option which can help avoid drug administration for both acute and preventive treatment of migraine and cluster headache.

Cefaly vs. Nerivio, Nerivio vs. GammaCore, Cefaly vs. GammaCore, Nerivio vs. SAVI Dual, Cefaly vs. SAVI Dual, GammaCore vs. SAVI Dual, Relivion vs. Cefaly, Relivion vs. Nerivio? Which do you pick?

It’s great to have so many new migraine devices with minimal to no side effects, and most can be safe in pregnant women, but how do you choose which one to use? Which are the best neuromodulation devices for YOU?

When to consider neuromodulation devices for migraine

Many patients do not respond to conventional migraine abortive (as needed) and preventive medications (taken daily to prevent migraines). Others may not tolerate them because of side effects, do not like taking medications, or cannot take them due to medical contraindications such as pregnancy or heart disease.

Luckily, there are now several effective migraine neuromodulation devices available in an easy to use handheld device or wearable device. These non-invasive neuromodulation devices open up new migraine treatment options for those difficult patient populations such as pregnancy or other medical problems who can not use standard options, or don’t tolerate them. They are also commonly used as adjunctive treatments used in combination with other standard migraine treatments.

These devices also avoid the complications of medication overuse headache (rebound headache), which results from using too much abortive migraine medication.

But do neuromodulation migraine devices really work for migraine symptoms? Is one best? Do they hurt? Are they used for abortive or preventive treatment? Are they expensive? Does insurance cover them? How do they compare, and is one best for you? This blog will address all of these questions.

What are the neuromodulation devices for migraine and cluster headache?

These devices include Single-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) (SAVI Dual; formerly SpringTMS and sTMS mini), external trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) (Cefaly), noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) (GammaCore), wireless remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) (Nerivio), and external combined occipital and trigeminal neurostimulation (eCOT-NS) (Relivion MG). We’ll discuss these devices in the order in which they became available and FDA cleared.

The table at the bottom of this article is a summary of comparison data between devices gathered from published studies and directly from the companies as well (check back periodically as updates are in progress). It’s important to keep in mind that the data in this table are not from head to head studies between devices. Comparative analysis across efficacy studies with different devices had different patient populations, treatment and sham (placebo) protocols, with separate and variable study designs.

SINGLE-PULSE TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (SAVI Dual, formerly Spring TMS and sTMS mini)

What is SAVI Dual?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatments are discussed in greater detail here. The first neuromodulation device which was FDA cleared for migraine treatment was the Single-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS), made by the company eNeura. It was initially FDA cleared for the acute treatment of episodic migraine with aura in adults in December 2013. It then received FDA clearance for both acute and preventive treatment of migraine in adults in 2017. This clearance was then expanded to the acute and preventive treatment of migraine in children 12 years of age and older in February 2019.

@neuralgroover Neuromodulation Devices For Migraine Part 1: SAVI Dual… #SAVIDual #Neuromodulation #NeuromodulationForMigraine #TMS #sTMS #tmstreatment #electromagnetic #TranscranialMagneticStimulation #eNeura #Migraine #migrainerelieftok #ChronicMigraine #Migrainerelief #MigraineAbortive #migraineprevention #MigrainePreventive #Neurology #HeadacheSpecialist #Headachedoc #headachedoctor #headachemedicine #migrainesociety #migrainetok #migrainetiktok #neuroscience #neurologist #brain #braindoctor #neurologistsoftiktok #headachetiktok #medical #medicaltiktok #medicaltiktoks #MigraineWarrior #headaches #Neuro #neurologytiktok #neurotok #headache #MigraineAwareness #foryou #fyp #tiktok #foryourpage #explore #trending #health #wellness #migrainesufferer #pain #depression #anxiety #chronicpain #medicalinnovation #veteran #veterans #vasystem #veteransadministration #veteransbenefits #concussion #tbi #traumaticbraininjury #combatveteran @eneura ♬ original sound – Virtual Headache Specialist🤯

Prior models included the Spring TMS and sTMS mini. The newest model available, SAVI Dual, is FDA cleared for both the acute and preventive treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and children 12 years of age or older.

So what is SAVI Dual? Basically, SAVI Dual has all the benefits of sTMS treatments that prior models offered, with the benefit of automated treatment compliance and monitoring through wireless smart technology.

How does SAVI Dual work?

The user holds the device against the back of the head, and presses a button to release a very short magnetic pulse at the onset of aura or the onset of pain if they have migraine without aura. The magnetic pulse delivers a fluctuating magnetic field which induces a mild electric current through the skull and onto the surface of the occipital cortex (visual cortex) of the back part of the brain.

This magnetic pulse modifies the electrical excitability and hyperactivity of the cortical neurons to block or prevent the onset of a migraine from evolving to a full-blown migraine. The device stops cortical spreading depression, which is suspected to be the basis of migraine aura in the occipital cortex. It is also suspected to interfere with thalamocortical pain pathways that are normally activated during a migraine.

How is SAVI Dual used?

Acute migraine treatment consists of 4 sequential magnetic pulses at the onset of a migraine (aura or pain). Then wait 10-15 minutes. If needed, treat with an additional 4 pulses. Then wait another 10-15 minutes. If needed, treat with an additional 4 pulses. There is no limit to how many cycles can be done as needed. Studies reported that 39% of patients were pain free at 2 hours.

Prevention treatment consists of 4 pulses twice daily. This is performed by giving 2 consecutive pulses, waiting 15 minutes, and then repeating 2 consecutive pulses. Studies reported that 46% of patients had a greater than 50% reduction in monthly headache days and averaged approximately 3 less migraine days per month.

The FDA claim does not state a maximum pulse usage, and the company encourages patients to use as many pulses as needed to in order to achieve maximum relief. That’s another benefit of SAVI Dual; use it as much and as often as needed.

What are the side effects of SAVI Dual?

The most common side effects reported in trials were mild and brief light-headedness/dizziness, tingling over the back of the head where treatment is performed, brief tinnitus (ringing in ears), nausea, and muscle spasm. Sometimes a tapping sensation on the scalp is described.

Caution should be used with any kind of metal implants, similar to an MRI. If you have MRI safe implants of any kind in the head or neck, sTMS is felt to be safe to use. It is suggested that patients with implants affected by a magnetic field should not use this device. Examples of such implants include aneurysm clips or coils, cochlear implants, cerebral spinal fluid shunts, bullets or pellets lodged in the head or upper body, metal plates, screws, staples or sutures in skull, neck, shoulders, arms or hands, and facial tattoos with metallic ink. Dental implants, fillings or other dental appliances are okay to use the device.

Patients with seizures aren’t an absolute contraindication for sTMS treatment, but caution is advised. The FDA listed seizure history as a “warning” in the FDA clearance label. You should not use this device if you have a cardiac pacemaker, vagus stimulator (VNS) or other implanted neurostimulator, implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or any implanted medical device that stimulates the body or uses any signal from the body.

How do I get the SAVI Dual device?

Prescribing Process:

The only thing needed to start the process is the company’s prescription form for the patient (found on their website at www.eneura.com). The SAVI Dual can be prescribed by any type of provider, not just neurologists or headache specialists.

Pricing:

-$395/month and a one time $50 shipping fee (you can pay the cost up front for a 3 or 12 month prescription, or it can be paid in monthly installments).

-The monthly prescription includes:

• Unlimited acute and preventive doses/treatments
• Personalized clinical specialist (RN) support throughout treatment beginning as soon as the package arrives
• Smart neuromodulation technology and automated diary

Insurance:

As of 2023, SAVI Dual is now fully available for Veteran’s within the VA system (it is a covered product—the Veteran has no out of pocket cost), which is a huge win for that population!

Insurance coverage varies on a state by state basis, but if a patient’s particular plan is not currently covering, it may instead require a prior authorization or Letter of Medical Necessity prior to coverage. Most FSA and HSA programs also cover the SAVI Dual.

The company has made progress on insurance coverage. SAVI Dual is a covered product with an expanding list of private payers and regional health systems. Atrium Health, University of Utah, Massachusetts Health, etc. Prescriptions are sent directly to eNeura and processed through a specialty pharmacy as a pharmacy benefit (instead of a medical benefit).

Their updated prescription form can be found HERE. Specialty pharmacy performs a benefits investigation with the insurance company (after contacting the patient and verifying).  As more patients are prescribed SAVI Dual, payers can evaluate the improved clinical outcomes as a less expensive non-pharmacological option that demonstrates similar efficacy of a prescription drug without the risk of medication side effects.

CEFALY

What is Cefaly?

Cefaly was the next neuromodulation migraine treatment device that became available. It is made by Cefaly Technology. It was FDA cleared for the prophylactic (preventive) treatment of migraine in adults in March 2014, and acute treatment of episodic migraines in adults in November 2017. The Cefaly Dual device is the most recent model, and has settings for both acute and preventive migraine treatment. The company offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.

How does Cefaly work?

Cefaly works by external trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS), similar to a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) mechanism. It works by sending electrical signals into the trigeminal nerve branches in the forehead to disrupt the electrical circuitry involved in a migraine attack.

How is Cefaly used?

Acute migraine treatment consists of a 1-hour session. It may be repeated for a second 60-minute session if the migraine pain is not relieved within two hours, or if another migraine attack occurs. Studies reported that at 1 hour, 32% were pain free and 79% had significant pain relief. At 2 hours, 17% were pain free and 65% significant pain relief.

Migraine prevention consists of a nightly 20-minute session. Studies reported a 29.7% decrease in migraine attacks, and 38.1% of patients received at least 50% decrease in migraine attacks.

How much is Cefaly?

On 10/13/20, Cefaly Dual became the first FDA-approved trigeminal nerve stimulator for migraine treatment available without a prescription and can be purchased over-the-counter.

The Cefaly Dual kit includes the Cefaly device, 1 electrode (good for 20 uses), power adapter, charging cable, and storage case. The best way to get cost information is to check the Cefaly website as these prices sometimes change and promotions vary.

What are the side effects of Cefaly?

Cefaly treatment is often described as a mild buzzing and pressure sensation. It should be avoided in patients with implanted metallic or electronic devices in the head, or who have a cardiac pacemaker or implanted or wearable defibrillator.

VAGUS NERVE STIMULATOR (GAMMACORE)

What is GammaCore?

Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) is made possible by a hand-held device called GammaCore, from the company ElectroCore. The most recent model is called GammaCore Sapphire.

GammaCore was initially FDA cleared for the acute treatment of episodic cluster headache in adults in April 2017. This was followed by the acute treatment of migraine in adults in January 2018, cluster headache prevention in November 2018, and migraine prevention in March 2020. In February 2021 it was FDA cleared for both abortive and preventive treatment of migraine in adolescents 12 years and older. In September 2021 it was then FDA cleared for abortive and preventive treatment of hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania.

Notably, it remains the only device which is also FDA-cleared for the treatment of cluster headache, hemicrania continua, and paroxysmal hemicrania.

How does GammaCore work?

Gammacore is placed over the vagus nerve on the side of the neck of the headache, just below the angle of the jaw where the pulse of the carotid is felt in the neck. GammaCore activates the vagus nerve with gentle electrical stimulation through the skin. The vagus nerve is an important highway of communication between your brain and many parts of the body. It’s sometimes referred to as the “superhighway” of the nervous system.

The vagus nerve plays an important role in regulating pain. Stimulating the vagus nerve helps blocks the pain signals causing various types of headache attacks.

When the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are not balanced, a variety of autonomic symptoms can occur. Stimulating the vagus nerve activates the parasympathetic nervous system (aka “rest and digest system”) and brings the systems into balance. This can alleviate a variety of autonomic symptoms, as well as headache disorders.

How is GammaCore used for the abortive treatment of migraine, cluster headache, hemicrania continua, and paroxysmal hemicrania?

Acute (abortive) treatment of migraine, cluster headache, hemicrania continua, and paroxysmal hemicrania consists of 2 two-minute stimulations. Dosing can be repeated as needed.

How is GammaCore used for the preventive treatment of migraine, cluster headache, hemicrania continua, and paroxysmal hemicrania?

Preventive migraine treatment of migraine, cluster headache, hemicrania continua, and paroxysmal hemicrania consists of 2 two-minute stimulations twice daily (morning and bedtime).

How effective is GammaCore for migraine?

Studies showed significant pain relief in as soon as 30 minutes, and reported that at 1 hour, 21% were pain free and 35.8% had significant pain relief. At 2 hours, 30.4% were pain free and 40.8% significant pain relief. GammaCore reduced pain intensity over 3x greater than sham (fake device) at 60 minutes and over 6x greater at 120 minutes, and reduced the need for other rescue medications.

Studies showed a 29% reduction in migraine days per month when used preventively, although this number was even higher in those with aura at a 35.8% decrease. Overall, 33.6% of patients received at least a 50% decrease in migraine frequency.

How effective is GammaCore for cluster headache?

Significantly more episodic cluster attacks treated with GammaCore were pain-free at 15 minutes vs those treated with sham (47.5% vs 6.2%). Combined study data showed that significantly more (over 2-4x greater response) episodic cluster headache patients responded (no pain or mild pain) to GammaCore at 15 minutes for 50% or more of all treated attacks vs those receiving sham (34.2-64.3% vs 14.9-15.4%). At 15 minutes, there were also significant reductions in pain duration and intensity with GammaCore compared to sham.

Weekly attack frequency decreased by 40% from baseline when GammaCore was added to standard of care therapy as a preventive treatment. There was a 57% decrease in the frequency of acute medication use when GammaCore was added.

What are the side effects of GammaCore?

Less than 5% of patients generally have side effects, so it is well tolerated. Most common side effects were application site discomfort or tingling, muscle twitching, or dizziness. Treatment is often described as a deep vibration. GammaCore should not be used with an active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, hearing aid implant, or any implanted electronic device. It should be avoided in patients who have a metallic device such as a stent, bone plate, or bone screw implanted at or near their neck, are using another device at the same time (e.g., TENS Unit, muscle stimulator) or any portable electronic device (e.g., mobile phone).

How do you get GammaCore?

Your doctor fills out a form on the GammaCore website and faxes it in. This begins the coordination between you and the company. The device is purchased and dispensed in 3 month treatment courses. Device capability allows for 30 two-minute stimulations each day for 3 months. 3 month refill cards are prescribed for continued treatment, and the device is recharged with the refill card. Pricing is variable, depending on a number of factors and the company can provide more specific costs.

NERIVIO

What is Nerivio?

The Nerivio device is made by the company Theranica. It is a wireless remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) device wearable for the acute treatment of migraine applied to the upper-arm. It was FDA-cleared for the acute treatment of episodic migraine in adults in May 2019. In October 2020, FDA clearance was extended to acute treatment of migraine in chronic migraine patients as well. In January 2021, Nerivio received FDA clearance for acute migraine treatment for episodic or chronic migraine in patients 12 years and older. In February 2023 it became FDA cleared for dual-use for both acute and preventive treatment of migraine with or without aura in patients 12 years or older. So it is also a great option for adolescents who may not be able to use many of the common migraine medications. Furthermore, a 2023 study showed Nerivio to be a safe treatment option in pregnant women. It can be prescribed by your doctor, or you can buy it on your own directly from the company.

How does Nerivio work?

Each device provides 16 treatments (as needed, or every other day for prevention). When the device is used up, it is recycled and a new refill device is sent. It is the most economical option on the market. Costs can often be similar to monthly triptan prescription costs.

The device works through a smartphone app downloaded on your smartphone which controls the strength and treatments. The device itself is an arm band that easily straps around the upper arm, and was recognized in TIME Magazine’s annual list of the 100 Best Inventions in 2019.

It delivers electronic pulses into the skin to generate a proprietary “Conditioned Pain Modulation” response which helps to abort the effects of a migraine in patients with or without aura. Nerivio stimulates specific sensory nerves of the upper arm which normally sense pain. The stimulation from the device is not strong enough to actually trigger pain for the user, but the signal still travels to the brainstem, as it normally would. From here, it interferes and blocks the ongoing activated electrical circuitry of the migraine, and helps to abort it.

Many think this is basically a TENS unit, but it is certainly not. It has a proprietary stimulation signal which targets specific pain transmitting nerve fibers that disrupts the electrical activity of a migraine centrally from a remote location peripherally (on the arm).

How well does Nerivio work?

The device is applied within 60 minutes (preferably at onset) of a migraine headache or migraine aura, and stimulation is performed for 45 minutes. It is described as a vibrating sensation. Studies showed that 66.7% of patients had significant pain relief at 2 hours, and 37.4% of patients achieved complete pain relief at 2 hours. Furthermore, 89.7% of patients studied avoided having to take other abortive medications when treating with Nerivio.

In the study leading to Nerivio treatment extension to adolescents 12 years and older in January 2021, 71% of patients had pain relief by 2 hours after Nerivio treatment, while 35% received complete pain relief. Pain relief and pain freedom were sustained for 24 hours in 90% of cases.

In the migraine preventive study, it was used every other day. Patients who used Nerivio had a mean reduction of 4 migraine days per month from baseline compared to a reduction of only 1.3 days in the placebo group.

What are the side effects of Nerivio?

Side effects may include a temporary sensation of warmth, local tingling, numbness in the arm, pain in the arm, or redness of the skin, although 96.4% of patients studied did not report any device related adverse events.

It is recommended to avoid in congestive heart failure, severe cardiac or cerebrovascular disease and uncontrolled epilepsy. It should not be used with certain medical devices such as a pacemaker or hearing aid implant. Using Nerivio with other implantable medical devices could potentially cause electric shock, electrical interference, or other injury. So it should not be used near any metallic implants.

How much does Nerivio cost?

In October 2020, Nerivio became the first neuromodulation device to receive a pharmacy/medical benefit. It is available for $10 on the initial prescription for anyone with any form of medical or pharmaceutical insurance, including some government insured patients such as Medicare and Medicaid! Commercially insured patients may have their Co-pay reduced to $0 on future refills, while government insured patients will pay $49 for refills. No patient ever pays more than $49 for a refill, and most will hopefully pay $0 on refills.  The company has started to obtain limited commercial insurance coverages, which is a first for the neuromodulation devices. Theranica also launched a reimbursement hub called Nerivio Express which streamlines the process.

RELIVION MG

What is Relivion?

In March 2021, the company Neurolief received FDA clearance for its Relivion MG external combined occipital and trigeminal neurostimulation system (eCOT-NS) neuromodulation device for acute migraine treatment. Notably, it has also received recognition as an FDA breakthrough device for the treatment of major depression.

The Relivion MG device transmits treatment information to a patient app, where the smart technology can learn about your migraine. The Relivion MG system connects information about your migraine, treatments, lifestyle and environment to your doctor via a secure cloud database to analyze data and share insights with your doctor to help optimize care.

How does Relivion work?

This is a non-invasive, self-administered neuromodulation device used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks. The device is worn as a headset and simultaneously stimulates 6 peripheral nerve branches of the occipital (2 electrodes in the back of the head, 1 on each side over the greater occipital nerves) and trigeminal nerves (4 electrodes in the forehead, 2 on each side over the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves).

Relivion MG is the first and only noninvasive neuromodulation device that stimulates the 2 main peripheral nerve pathways which are felt to influence migraine (trigeminal nerve pathway and occipital nerve pathway). This spread out stimulation allows for more stimulation to be delivered comfortably.

How well does Relivion work?

This FDA clearance was based on the results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study (“RIME” study) involving 131 adult patients who treated migraine with or without aura with an hour-long acute treatment. The RIME US Pivotal Study met all its endpoints with statistical significance. The pivotal trial has been submitted along with another RCT, but neither is officially published yet. In the trial, the significant data points were:

-Complete pain freedom at 2 hours: 46% of patients in Relivion group vs. 11.8% of patients in the sham (placebo) group. 78% of patients who became pain free at 2 hours had sustained pain freedom at 24 hours. So it appears to provide a highly effective treatment for delivering pain freedom at two hours and sustained pain freedom at 24 hours.

-Freedom from most bothersome symptom (MBS) (nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia) at 2 hours: 75% of patients in Relivion group vs. 47% of patients in the sham group. Relivion MG is the first noninvasive neuromodulation technology to be statistically positive for both pain freedom and most bothersome symptom (MBS) freedom at 2 hours.

-76% of patients achieved headache relief at 2 hours.

What are the side effects of Relivion?

In the RIME Study, a total of 12 adverse events were reported. All events were mild to moderate (ie scalp numbness, itching, skin irritation and redness) and were anticipated and self-resolved.

IF YOU HAVE HEADACHE, MIGRAINE, OR FACIAL PAIN AND ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ON ANYTHING RELATED TO IT, A HEADACHE SPECIALIST IS HERE TO HELP, FOR FREE!

FIRST, LET’S DECIDE WHERE TO START:

IF YOU HAVE AN EXISTING HEADACHE, MIGRAINE, OR FACIAL PAIN DIAGNOSIS AND ARE LOOKING FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION, HOT TOPICS, AND TREATMENT TIPS, VISIT OUR FREE BLOG OF HOT TOPICS AND HEADACHE TIPS HERE. THIS IS WHERE I WRITE AND CONDENSE A BROAD VARIETY OF COMMON AND COMPLEX  MIGRAINE AND HEADACHE RELATED TOPICS INTO THE IMPORTANT FACTS AND HIGHLIGHTS YOU NEED TO KNOW, ALONG WITH PROVIDING FIRST HAND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A HEADACHE SPECIALIST.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN EXISTING HEADACHE, MIGRAINE, OR FACIAL PAIN DIAGNOSIS AND ARE LOOKING FOR POSSIBLE TYPES OF HEADACHES OR FACIAL PAINS BASED ON YOUR SYMPTOMS, USE THE FREE HEADACHE AND FACIAL PAIN SYMPTOM CHECKER TOOL DEVELOPED BY A HEADACHE SPECIALIST NEUROLOGIST HERE!

IF YOU HAVE AN EXISTING HEADACHE, MIGRAINE, OR FACIAL PAIN DIAGNOSIS AND ARE LOOKING FOR FURTHER EDUCATION AND SELF-RESEARCH ON YOUR DIAGNOSIS, VISIT OUR FREE EDUCATION CENTER HERE.