Cluster Headache Research in the USA – Get involved!

Clinical trials and professional surveys for cluster headache patients are not very common, so when I was contacted about these two trials I wanted to make sure I shared them with you. Both trials are in for cluster patients in the USA. Both are being led by Dr. Mark Burish through the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

By the way, we’ve talked about Dr. Burish before – check out Cluster Headache: Years with no Diagnosis?

Cluster Headache Impact Questionnaire

We all know that cluster headache results in serious disability, but measuring that disability is a challenge. This study will evaluate a tool that could help researchers and doctors better understand and to some extent measure cluster disability. It also helps when it comes to getting insurance and funding for cluster headache treatment and research.

Patients can be anywhere in the USA because they complete the survey (actually, three surveys over a period of three months) online. It’s open to “people with cluster headache (either now or in the past)”. You can go directly to the consent form here:

Cluster Headache Impact Questionnaire Consent Form

Vitamin D and Cluster Headache

I’m told that this is currently the only non-pharmaceutical clinical trial for cluster in the USA. It’s a six-week study of high-dose vitamin D3 for the prevention of cluster attacks. The trial is for patients currently in their cluster cycle, however they may sign up at any time and begin when their cycle begins. It’s important to know that you should be able to continue with your current treatments during this trial.

You do need to call or email to enroll. Further details of who can enroll, as well as all contact information, can be found here:

High Dose Vitamin D Plus Multivitamin in the Prevention of Cluster Headache