Omega-3 Supplementation for Pediatric Migraine

NCT ID: NCT06899074

Last Updated: 2025-05-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-17

Study Completion Date

2026-03-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of the study is to assess the biochemical and clinical effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation in youth suffering from migraine, including its effects on migraine disability, psychological distress, and overall quality of life. This study duration 12 weeks.

Detailed Description

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Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), hold potential therapeutic benefit for pediatric migraine due to their potent anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and neuromodulatory properties, which impact the pathophysiology of migraine. Dietary alteration and supplementation of omega-3 PUFAs have been shown to decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches in adults with migraine, yet no rigorous clinical studies on omega-3 PUFA supplementation have been conducted in children and/or adolescents suffering from migraine. This study will establish feasibility of the intervention of omega-3 PUFA supplementation for pediatric migraine (i.e., provide proof-of-concept that the intervention raises omega-3 index levels compared to placebo).

The investigators will enroll 80 children and adolescents (ages 10-17 years) with a diagnosis of migraine and randomize participants 1:1 to receive an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement intervention or placebo daily for 12 weeks, with assessments conducts at baseline and at 12 weeks.

Conditions

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Migraine

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors
Triple masking to allocation sequence. All subjects, the research personnel and the biostatistician will be masked to the allocation sequence. Only the dispensing pharmacist and the unmasked data manager are not masked.

Study Groups

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Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats

Two in-person study visits (baseline, week 12) for collection of a blood sample, completion of validated questionnaires, and two 24-hour dietary recalls conducted over the phone

Two study phone calls (week 4, week 8) to determine study adherence. Two additional study phone calls will be conducted to conduct 24-hour dietary recalls at baseline and week 12. All subjects (with the help of their parents) will complete a demographics form and headache/medication history form as part of the study's baseline procedures.

A blood sample will be collected from all subjects at baseline and week 12 to determine whether the intervention increases omega-3 index in the blood via finger prick.

Self-reported measures will be collected via survey.

Post-baseline changes in migraine disability, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life will be assessed using validated self-reported questionnaires to compare the effects of omega-3 PUFA intervention versus placebo.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% EPA / 60% DHA.

Matching Placebo

Two in-person study visits (baseline, week 12) for collection of a blood sample, completion of validated questionnaires, and two 24-hour dietary recalls conducted over the phone

Two study phone calls (week 4, week 8) to determine study adherence. Two additional study phone calls will be conducted to conduct 24-hour dietary recalls at baseline and week 12. All subjects (with the help of their parents) will complete a demographics form and headache/medication history form as part of the study's baseline procedures.

A blood sample will be collected from all subjects at baseline and week 12 to determine whether the intervention increases omega-3 index in the blood via finger prick.

Self-reported measures will be collected via survey.

Post-baseline changes in migraine disability, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life will be assessed using validated self-reported questionnaires to compare the effects of omega-3 PUFA intervention versus placebo.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Matching Placebo

Intervention Type OTHER

The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.

Interventions

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Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats

Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% EPA / 60% DHA.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Matching Placebo

The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Coconut oil

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Males and females between the ages of 10 and 17 years
* Parent consent and subject assent
* Diagnosis of migraine based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) criteria

Exclusion Criteria

* Known allergy to fish or seafood
* Current use of an omega-3 dietary supplement
* Significant neurological or psychiatric disorders or developmental delays
* Non-English speaking
* Allergy to coconut
* Pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

10 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

17 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Nutrition Obesity Research Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Caroline Sawicki, DDS, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Locations

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Caroline Sawicki

Role: CONTACT

919-537-3200

Facility Contacts

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Caroline Sawicki, DDS, PhD

Role: primary

919-537-3200

Other Identifiers

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P30DK056350

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

24-2715

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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