The results of a new study suggest migraine and obstructive sleep apnea sufferers may be able to find highly effective non-pharmaceutical relief from a medical device they put in their mouths when sleeping in the future.
On Monday, Vivos Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VVOS) announced the results of a clinical observational study on its newly acquired Preventive Oral Device (known as The POD). The study focused on the use of this device in the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches.
The POD is a custom device worn during sleep to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and aid in the symptoms of TMD such as headaches, facial or neck pain, pain in or around the ear, pain when chewing, painful clicking or popping when opening or closing the jaw, or difficulty opening wide.
The device works by gently repositioning the lower jaw to a slightly more forward position. This repositioning helps to open up the airway and prevent snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. By improving breathing during sleep, the device can also alleviate symptoms of TMD and reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
TMD is often associated with headaches, aching jaw muscles, disturbed sleep, daytime fatigue or dizziness, anxiety and depression.
The results of the study were statistically significant, with 92 per cent of the study patients reporting complete resolution of their migraine symptoms after treatment. They were maintained during follow-up visits, which lasted between 3 to 28 months after the treatment began.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction cross section. Image via Wikimedia Commons.
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Significant improvement in MIDAS score after treatment: Vivos
Migraine severity was measured using the Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire (MIDAS), with patients showing an 89.2 per cent reduction in MIDAS score after treatment.
The American Migraine Foundation reports that more than 39 million people in the United States suffer from migraine headaches. This type of headache is a common and debilitating pain condition that can last for decades. Many people who seek treatment for migraines may find that the treatment they receive is not effective, and they may have to live with the pain.
“For the tens of millions of patients right here in the US who suffer from migraines, we believe our new POD treatment option has the potential to be a game changer,” Vivos CEO Kirk Huntsman said.
“Not only can this novel oral appliance technology bring relief from migraines, but it is also FDA-cleared to treat patients with TMD, teeth grinding (known as bruxism) and many other conditions related to breathing and sleep disorders.”
There are several other companies that are working on treatments for migraine headaches.
Some of these companies include Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), and Teva Pharmaceuticals. These companies are working on developing different types of treatments for migraines, including medications, devices, and other therapies.
For example, Eli Lilly is working on a monoclonal antibody called Emgality that targets and blocks a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is believed to play a key role in the development of migraines.
Vivos Therapeutics shares rose 0.8 per cent to close at $0.346 on the NASDAQ exchange.
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