A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache.

A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache. Research Abstract Details 

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A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache. Abstract Text:

D A Marcus,L Scharff,D Turk,L M Gourley,

A provocative double-blind study of headache was performed using chocolate as the active agent and carob as the placebo. The chocolate and carob samples were formulated to duplicate products used in an earlier study (1) in which strong differential effects between the ability of chocolate and carob to trigger headache in migraine were shown. Sixty-three women with chronic headache (50% migraine, 37.5% tension-type, 12.5% combined migraine and tension-type) participated in the study. After 2 weeks of following a diet that restricted vasoactive amine-rich foods, each subject underwent double-blinded provocative trials with two samples of chocolate and two of carob presented in random order. Diaries were maintained by the subjects throughout the study, monitoring diet and headache. The results demonstrated that chocolate was not more likely to provoke headache than was carob in any of the headache diagnostic groups (chi2(2)=0.36, p=0.83). Interestingly, these results were independent of subjects' beliefs regarding the role of chocolate in the instigation of headache (chi2(1)=0.73, p=0.39). Headache diagnosis and the concomitant use of additional vasoactive amine-containing foods were also not associated with chocolate acting as a headache trigger. Thus, contrary to the commonly held belief of patients and physicians, chocolate does not appear to play a significant role in triggering headaches in typical migraine, tension-type, or combined headache sufferers.

A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache. Publishing Authors By Initials

DA Marcus,L Scharff,D Turk,LM Gourley,

For similar carbohydrates: polysaccharides research abstracts see: carbohydrates: polysaccharides research

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A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov

Journal: Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache

VOLUME: 17

Page Numbers: 855-62; discussion 800

Journal Abbreviation: Cephalalgia

ISSN: 0333-1024

DAY: 11

MONTH: Dec

YEAR: 1997

A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache. Information

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LANGUAGE: eng

NlmUniqueID: 8200710

A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache. Keywords Mesh Terms:

KEYWORDS: Polysaccharides

MESH TERMS: adverse effects

Chemical & Substance for Abstract: A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache. Information

Substance Name: locust bean gum

Registry Number: 9000-40-2

Grant and Affiliation Information for A double-blind provocative study of chocolate as a trigger of headache.

AFFILIATION: University of Pittsburgh, Pain Evaluation and Treatment Institute, PA 15213, USA. dawn@peti.sm.upmc.edu

Country: NORWAY

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MEDLINETA: Cephalalgia

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