Ketamine as Treatment for Cluster Headache: A Systematic Review of Literature and a Case Series.
Johannes Neumann, Helmar Bornemann-Cimenti, Gudrun Rumpold-Seitlinger, Kordula Lang-Illievich, Christoph Klivinyi
Pain and therapy June 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s40122-024-00606-5 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCluster headache is a severe neurological condition causing intense pain that often resists standard treatments. A systematic review of four uncontrolled case series (68 patients total) suggests ketamine might reduce cluster headache pain, but the evidence is limited and highly heterogeneous. In a small cohort study of ten patients treated with ketamine infusions, patient satisfaction was high. Despite the weak evidence, ketamine may be a potential therapeutic option, and randomized controlled trials are needed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Mixed-methods paper: systematic review and cohort study Randomized Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Patients with cluster headache treated with ketamine infusions |
| Intervention | Ketamine infusions |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Quality of life Systematic review Treatment Cluster headaches Pain management |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Ketamine might decrease cluster headache, and patient satisfaction with treatment was high, but the evidence is limited and heterogeneous. |
Abstract
Cluster headache is a severe and debilitating neurological condition characterized by intense, excruciating pain with a significant impact on patients' wellbeing. Although different treatment options are available, many patients continue to experience inadequate relief. Therefore, experimental strategies are increasingly studied. One of the more promising approaches is the use of ketamine. We present the currently available evidence and our own data. In this mixed-methods paper, we first summarize the available evidence of ketamine for treatment of cluster headache based on a systematic review of literature in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane library of systematic reviews. As the level of evidence is quite limited, we report our own cohort study with ten patients treated with ketamine infusions for cluster headache. They were followed up to investigate the patients' experience of treatment success and quality of life. The search and review of literature identified four reports with a total of 68 patients. All were uncontrolled case series. The current literature suggests that ketamine might decrease cluster headache. However, as the applied regimes and reported outcomes are highly heterogeneous, further analysis was futile. Our own data show high patient satisfaction with ketamine treatment. Despite the limited evidence, ketamine might be considered a potential therapeutic approach for cluster headache. Therefore, further research including randomized controlled trials should be encouraged.