As they are with many health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, Black Americans are disproportionately affected by migraines. According to one study, middle-aged and older Black Americans are more likely to experience debilitating migraines as well as have adverse comorbid conditions, such as lower quality of life, depression, and disability.
If able, Black patients suffering from migraines should consider joining migraine clinical trials. When diverse communities participate in medical research, they not only benefit from access to healthcare professionals and treatment, but their participation also helps expand access for others in their communities.
Keep reading to learn more about what migraine clinical trials can entail and how to join one.
Like most trials testing new treatments or drugs, migraine clinical trials are typically conducted to determine the effectiveness of new medications. They can also be used to test medical devices, behavioral therapies, or other existing treatments. These trials follow safety and ethical guidelines, prioritizing the participant’s health and safety.
According to Rab Nawaz Khan, M.D., a neurologist with over 10 years of clinical experience who currently serves as a stroke physician at Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, the process for a migraine clinical trial includes consent forms, screenings, and regular check-ins.
“A migraine clinical trial usually begins with informed consent, followed by screening to confirm the person’s migraine diagnosis, medical history, current medications, and eligibility,” Dr. Khan said. “Many studies ask participants to keep a headache diary for several weeks to document migraine days, severity, symptoms, and medication use.”
If participants are eligible, they may be randomly assigned to receive the drug, another form of treatment, or a placebo.
“During the study, researchers track migraine frequency, symptom relief, quality of life, side effects, and safety through diaries, visits, labs, or remote check-ins,” Dr. Khan said. “Participation is voluntary, and patients can leave a trial at any time.”
RELATED: This Clinical Trial Helped Treat Migraines Before They Started
Despite accounting for 14 percent of the U.S. population, Black Americans tend to make up only a small part of clinical trial populations. One study found that Black Americans made up only 8 percent of a drug trial’s participants. This population has historically been underrepresented in clinical research, which directly affects the community’s health.
Despite the higher rates of severe migraines, Black patients are also less likely to seek out medical care due to factors such as mistrust of the healthcare system and systemic racism. While 72 percent of white patients will seek out medical care for a migraine, only 46 percent of Black patients will do the same.
In a clinical trial, researchers must ensure access to an accurate representation of the American public, as this will determine whether their treatments are beneficial across different populations. The more diverse communities participate in clinical trials, the more equitable care for migraine and other health conditions can be.
Louis Lerebours, M.D., a family medicine physician at Freeman Recovery Center, explained additional obstacles facing Black patients struggling with migraines.
“Barriers for Black patients include being diagnosed later, having less access to headache specialists, fewer options to receive medical treatments at specialized centers, and knowing less about other options through clinical trials,” he explained. “Other factors that could reduce the ability to participate in either treatment or research are financial issues, lack of transportation, and a lack of knowledge of how to participate in research. The removal of these obstacles will provide better care and improved health outcomes.”
Dr. Khan emphasized that these obstacles are systemic, not individual. “These are not failures on the patient’s part,” he said. “Research institutions and healthcare systems need to design studies that are more accessible, transparent, and worthy of trust.”
For Black patients who experience migraines, participation in clinical trials can help provide access to emerging therapies and additional monitoring. It should be noted, however, that benefits are never guaranteed.
While the specifics may vary by trial and trial phase, migraine clinical trials typically begin with a screening and eligibility process. Common requirements can include being within an age range of 18 to 65, having a history of migraines, or having recent head trauma. Once a participant has been approved for the trial, they are given an informed consent form, which will lead to enrollment.
Throughout the trial, participants will attend study visits and follow-up appointments. Clinical trials will often require symptom tracking through diaries or apps, as well as monitoring.
Depending on the study, participants may be compensated for their time or travel. Others may also require long-term follow-up appointments.
Before participating in a migraine clinical trial, patients should always first speak with their healthcare provider or neurologist. If approved by your physician, you can search for trials on sites like ClinicalTrials.gov as well as BlackDoctor’s Clinical Trials Resource Center.
RELATED: 4 Tips to Make Your Clinical Trial Search Easier
Given the prevalence of severe and chronic migraines within the Black community, clinical trials must adequately include this population to best serve the widest number of patients. Without diversity in clinical trials, medications and treatments cannot be guaranteed to treat all populations.
“It is also important not to place the burden entirely on Black patients to fix research gaps,” Dr. Khan said. “Sponsors and study teams must earn participation through community partnerships, clear communication, convenient trial design, fair compensation, and meaningful follow-through. Inclusive trials produce evidence that is more credible and more useful for everyone living with migraine.”
While participating in a migraine clinical trial may seem overwhelming, participants should remember that they can advocate for themselves. They have the right to informed consent and to a full understanding of the trial’s potential risks and benefits before agreeing to participate.
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