Effect of probiotic supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#humans #inflammation #migraine-disorders #probiotics #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

Effect of probiotic supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Parohan et al., 2022 | Nutr Neurosci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Parohan Mohammad, Djalali Mahmoud, ... Javanbakht Mohammad Hassan. Effect of probiotic supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Neurosci. 2022-Mar;25(3):511-518. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2020.1764292

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of migraine is higher in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Possible underlying mechanisms could be increased intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation. Probiotics may reduce gut permeability as well as inflammation, and therefore may improve the clinical features of migraine. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of probiotic supplementation on the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Magiran.com and Sid.ir to identify eligible studies published up to October 2019. A meta-analysis of eligible trials was performed using the random-effects model to estimate pooled effect size.Results: Three randomized controlled trials with 179 patients (probiotic group = 94, placebo group = 85) were included. Probiotic supplementation had no significant effect on frequency (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -2.54 attacks/month, 95%CI: -5.31-0.22, p = 0.071) and severity of migraine attacks (WMD = -1.23 visual analog scale (VAS) score, 95%CI = -3.37-0.92, p = 0.262) with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 98%, p < 0.001).Conclusions: A pooled analysis of available randomized controlled clinical trials showed that probiotic supplementation had no significant effect on the frequency and severity of episodic migraine attacks.

Key Findings

Three randomized controlled trials with 179 patients (probiotic group = 94, placebo group = 85) were included. Probiotic supplementation had no significant effect on frequency (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -2.54 attacks/month, 95%CI: -5.31-0.22, p = 0.071) and severity of migraine attacks (WMD = -1.23 visual analog scale (VAS) score, 95%CI = -3.37-0.92, p = 0.262) with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 98%, p < 0.001).Conclusions: A pooled analysis of available randomized con

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population gastrointestinal disorders
Sample Size 179
Age Range See abstract
Condition inflammation

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Migraine Disorders
  • Probiotics
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09