Effect of Vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 33779525 · doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.1904542
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines evaluated the impact of Vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine attack days, duration, frequency, and pain score. Searches across five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and CEPS) covered 1990 to March 2019. Nine studies (8 randomized controlled trials and 1 controlled clinical trial) with 673 subjects were included and analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, assessing Vitamin B2 at 400 mg/day for three months.
What was found
Vitamin B2 supplementation significantly reduced all measured migraine outcomes: - Migraine days: p = .005 (I2 = 89%) - Duration: p = .003 (I2 = 0%) - Frequency: p = .001 (I2 = 65%) - Pain score: p = .015 (I2 = 84%) Effect sizes and confidence intervals were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes clinical trial data demonstrating that a 3-month course of Vitamin B2 (400 mg/day) offers a viable non-pharmaceutical option for migraine prophylaxis across multiple clinical endpoints.
Limits
Substantial statistical heterogeneity was present for migraine days (I2 = 89%), pain score (I2 = 84%), and frequency (I2 = 65%). The combined sample size was relatively small (673 subjects across 9 trials), one included study was a non-randomized controlled clinical trial, point estimates and confidence intervals were omitted from the abstract, and searches concluded in 2019.
Cited by
- supports High doses of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) can successfully treat or manage migraines.
- supports Clinical research shows that taking 400 milligrams of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) daily is beneficial for migraine sufferers.