The purpose of this multi-site study is to evaluate the efficacy of a high omega-3/low omega-6 dietary intervention (the H3-L6 Diet) vs. a Control Diet in reducing headache pain and improving function in soldiers, veterans and military healthcare beneficiaries with post-traumatic headache (PTH). In addition, the study will examine the effects of the diet interventions on anti-nociceptive and pro-nociceptive lipid mediators derived from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Migraine-like PTH is an ideal patient population to test the effects of the H3-L6 intervention for several reasons. First, although PTH is considered a secondary headache syndrome, the fact that migraine-like PTH has a phenotype indistinguishable from primary migraine disorders and shares common pain-related comorbidities (e.g. anxiety, depression) suggests that shared biochemical mechanisms may underlie both conditions. Second, many PTH patients experience poor or incomplete therapeutic responses to available treatments, often while suffering from drug-related adverse effects. The prospect of improved headache outcomes with concurrent reduction in medication use (as seen in the Chronic Daily Headache Trial) may be particularly beneficial in PTH, since certain headache medications (e.g. opiates, muscle relaxants, sleep aids) have cognitive side effects, which may worsen residual cognitive impairment from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). While PTH is an important cause of disability after TBI, problems with memory, executive function, depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, post-traumatic stress, and other neurobehavioral disorders are also common after TBI and contribute to disability. The H3-L6 (High Omega-3 Low Omega-6) intervention increased circulating concentrations of several key bioactive mediators which could hypothetically also have favorable effects on these TBI-associated non-headache impairments associated with TBI combat injuries. Omega-3 fatty acids have been widely studied in pre-clinical models and human TBI and demonstrate promising evidence of both neuroprotective and neurorestorative efficacy. Potential mechanisms include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-neurogenic effects. In our pilot study, the H3-L6 intervention significantly increased circulating levels of docosahexaenoic acid-eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA-EPA) , a potent stimulator of neurite growth and synaptogenesis in hippocampus and other central nervous system (CNS) tissues. Corresponding increases in the synaptamide biosynthesis in central nervous system tissues could hypothetically assist cognitive and functional neurorecovery associated with traumatic brain injury. Further, the reduction of proinflammatory metabolites of omega-6 fatty acids may provide additional benefits beyond what can be achieved through omega-3 supplementation alone. Study Type: Interventional, Phase 2, double blind Study Design: Allocation: Randomized, parallel group Masking: Double Blind (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) Primary Purpose: Treatment Primary Outcome Measures: Hypothesis and Objective: The investigators will obtain support for the following hypotheses through three specific aims: Specific Aim 1: To compare the efficacy of the H3-L6 Diet to the Control Diet, in reducing headache pain and improving headache-related quality of life. Hypothesis 1: Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet will produce significant improvement in: (1a) the Headache Impact Test-a headache-specific quality of life measure-Primary Clinical Outcome); (1b) mean total Headache Hours per day; and (1c) mean Severe Headache Hours per day. Secondary Outcomes Measures: Specific Aim 2: To evaluate whether the H3-L6 Diet can increase circulating anti-nociceptive omega-3 metabolites, and reduce pro-nociceptive omega-6 metabolites, in patients with Posttraumatic Headaches. Hypothesis 2: Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet will produce significant increases in anti-nociceptive omega-3 metabolites including 17-hydroxy DHA (Primary Biochemical Aim), and reductions in pro-nociceptive omega-6 metabolites. Other Outcomes Measures Specific Aim 3: To explore the potential of the H3-L6 intervention for improving non-headache TBI outcomes. Hypothesis 3: Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet will produce significant improvement in: (3a) non-headache pain; (3b) depression/anxiety; (3c) symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder; (3d) cognitive function; (3e) sleep quality; and (3f) will significantly reduce the use of acute pain medications. Enrollment: Up to 300 total participants enrolled among the 3 military sites for 120 12-week diet completers
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
300
The intervention will be administered through food products rather than dietary supplements
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
RECRUITINGWomack Army Medical Center (WAMC)
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States
RECRUITINGFort Belvoir Community Hospital
Fort Belvoir, Virginia, United States
RECRUITINGPrimary Clinical Outcome: To compare the efficacy of the high omega-3/low omega-6 (H3-L6) diet to the low omega-3/high omega-6 (L3-H6) diet in reducing headache pain and improving headache-related quality of life.
Up to 300 participants complete the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6)-a headache-specific quality of life measure 6 times while enrolled in the study. The primary outcome measure is the change in the HIT-6 scores at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention.
Time frame: The HIT-6 is administered at study visits at week 0 (enrollment), 4, 10, 12, 14, 16
Primary Biochemical Outcome: To evaluate the effects of the H3-L6 and L3-H6 Diet on circulating fatty acids and bioactive metabolites.
All study participants will have blood drawn 3 times during the 16-week study for analysis of circulating fatty acids and their bioactive metabolites. The following fatty acids will be measured in each blood sample (ng or pg per mL): 17-hydroxy-DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), 18-Hydroxy-EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), 9-HODE (hydroxyl-octadecadienoic acid), 13-ODE (octadecadienoic acid), 5-HETE (hydroxyl-eicosatetraenoic acid), 8-HETE, 9-HETE, 11-HETE. Changes in 17-hydroxy-DHA and related fatty acids levels between blood draws at baseline and at the end of the 12-week diet intervention will be compared with changes in headache frequency and severity at the same time points.
Time frame: Fasting blood draws at study visits at weeks 4, 10, 16
To compare the efficacy of the high omega-3/low omega-6 (H3-L6) diet to the low omega-3/high omega-6 (L3-H6) diet in reducing headache pain.
Up to 300 participants complete a headache diary daily while enrolled in the 16-week study. Participants record the total number of headache hours per day. The outcome measure is the change in the mean daily headache hours at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention between the H3-L6 and L3-H6 diet intervention groups.
Time frame: Daily on-line diary entry during the 16-week study
To explore the potential of the H3-L6 intervention for improving non-headache pain outcomes.
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Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet may produce significant improvement in non-headache pain. A survey of pain, the Total Body Pain Scale, will be administered at baseline and at the end of the 12-week diet intervention. The outcome measure is a reduction in non-headache pain as measured by the survey at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention.
Time frame: Study visits at week 0 and 16
To explore the potential of the H3-L6 intervention for decreasing acute pain medication usage
Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet may produce significant improvement in: Use of acute pain medications. Participants will daily record all pain medications used in that 24-hour period. The outcome measure is the change in the acute pain medications sued at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention between the H3-L6 and L3-H6 diet intervention groups.
Time frame: Daily on-line diary entry during the 16-week study
To explore the potential of the H3-L6 intervention for improving sleep quality
Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet may produce significant improvement in sleep quality. A sleep quality survey, the PSQI, will be administered at baseline at and the end of the 12-week diet intervention. The outcome measure is the change in the PSQI score at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention between the H3-L6 and L3-H6 diet intervention groups.
Time frame: the PSQI is administered at weeks 4 and 16 of the study
To explore the potential of the H3-L6 intervention for improving psychological distress (depression/anxiety)
The PROMIS-29, a survey of psychological distress (depression/anxiety), will be administered at baseline and at the end of the 12-week diet intervention. The outcome measure is a reduction in depression and/or anxiety as measured by the PROMIS-29 at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention.
Time frame: Study visits at week 0 and 16
To explore the potential of the H3-L6 intervention for improving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet may produce significant improvement in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The PCL-C, a survey of post-traumatic stress symptoms, will be administered at baseline and at the end of the 12-week diet intervention. The outcome measure is the reduction in the PCL-C score at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention between the H3-L6 and L3-H6 diet intervention groups.
Time frame: The PCL-C is administered at study visits at weeks 4 &16
To explore the potential of the H3-L6 intervention for improving post-concussive symptoms.
Compared to the Control Diet, the H3-L6 Diet may produce significant improvement in post-concussive symptoms. The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and the Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended (GOS-E) will be administered at baseline and at the end of the 12-week diet intervention. The outcome measure is a change in the NSI and GOS-E score at baseline and at the end of the diet intervention between the H3-L6 and L3-H6 diet intervention groups.
Time frame: NSI and GOS-E are administered at weeks 4 and 16.