What is it?
The gammaCore [1] Sapphire device is a hand-held device that the patient uses to stimulate the vagus nerve in the neck.
How is it used?
The device is held against the side of the neck on the side on which the patient has the most headache, and an electrical current stimulates the vagus nerve through the skin.
What can it be used for?
It can be used to treat individual migraine attacks [2]. For this, it is now recommended that patients stimulate just one side of the neck with 2 two-minute stimulations, starting at pain onset. These can be repeated in 20 minutes if there has been no improvement.
It can also be used for migraine prevention [3]. For this, it is recommended to use 2 two-minute stimulations on one side only and do this three times a day. Stimulation should always be on the same side, and the first stimulation should be done within one hour of awakening.
Does it work?
Treating a migraine [4] attack
It works for some people but not everybody. In a clinical research trial with 243 people with migraine, half got the real stimulation, and half received a “fake” stimulation (placebo). 30.4 % of people who received the real stimulation were pain-free two hours later, while only 19.7 % of people who got the fake stimulation were pain free.
40.8 % of people who got the real stimulation had their headaches reduced to mild headache or no headache by two hours, while 27.6 % of those who received the fake stimulation were reduced to mild or no headache.
Migraine prevention
In the most recent study, with 113 people, which has not been fully published yet, 45% of patients who received the real stimulation had a reduction of 50% or more in the number of migraine days they had per month. This compared to 27% of people who received the “fake” stimulation.
Are there side-effects?
People experience few side-effects. Discomfort and rash at the place where the stimulator is applied have been reported, and dizziness [5].
How much does gammaCore cost?
The cost of the 31 day Starter Kit is $655. CDN (up to 30 stimulations of 2 minutes per day). The new price is $650 CAD for 93 days of therapy (down from $975 CDN). Additionally, on your first order, you can quote “10% direct” for a 10% discount on that price.
Is gammaCore covered by insurance companies?
gammaCore is not covered by public payers. Coverage by private payers needs to be explored, but cannot be guaranteed.
Where can I get more information?
The Sapphire system and support is available directly through ElectroCore. Email the company directly to learn how to order:
- Email: [email protected] [6]
- Phone: (888) 903-2673
REFERENCES
1. Diener HC, Goadsby PJ, Ashina M, Al-Karagholi MA, Sinclair A, Mitsikostas D, et al. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) for the preventive treatment [7] of episodic migraine: The multicentre, double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled PREMIUM trial. Cephalalgia. 2019;39(12):1475-87.
2. Tassorelli C, Grazzi L, de Tommaso M, Pierangeli G, Martelletti P, Rainero I, et al. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation as acute therapy for migraine: The randomized PRESTO study. Neurology. 2018;91(4):e364-e73.
3. Johnson RL, Wilson CG. A review of vagus nerve stimulation as a therapeutic intervention. J Inflamm Res. 2018;11:203-13.
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