Interventional Study of Flunarizine Therapy on Symptom Relief and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Changes in Individuals with Vestibular Migraine

Abstract

Introduction: Migraine is the third most common disease in the world with an estimated prevalence of 14.7%. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristic changes in cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and analyse changes in symptoms and VEMP after flunarizine therapy in patients diagnosed with vestibular migraine (VM). Methods: Prospective interventional study was conducted on 31 VM patients. Cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) were recorded. Flunarizine (10 mg) was given once daily for two consecutive months. Prophylactic therapy was monitored with a monthly follow-up assessment of their symptoms and VEMP was repeated after 2 months. Results: Headache was the chief complaint (67.7%). Vertigo was spontaneous and mostly moderate in intensity (93%). cVEMP was absent in 1 patient and oVEMP was absent in 3 patients. Post prophylactic treatment with flunarizine, there was significant reduction in the frequency (p = 0.001) and duration (p = 0.001) of headache and frequency (p = 0.001), duration (p = 0.001), and intensity (p = 0.009) of vertigo. cVEMP and oVEMP showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between pre- and post-treatment recordings. Conclusion: Treatment with flunarizine helps in considerably reducing the episodes and duration of headache, as well as episodes, duration, and intensity of vertigo.