Initial Contact and Phone Screening

After you express initial interest, a coordinator will contact you to ask basic questions about your migraine history, current medications, and general health. They want to know how often you get migraines and how severe they are. They'll ask about any other medical conditions you have.

For now, the coordinator is just checking whether you meet the most basic requirements for the study. If you seem like a potential candidate, they'll schedule an in-person visit. If you clearly don't fit the criteria, they’ll politely let you know right away.

First In-Person Visit

When you arrive for your first appointment, expect to spend several hours at the research clinic. This is going to be paperwork covering your complete medical history, as well as a list of any meds or supplements you currently take.

Next, a researcher will go over this paperwork with you. They want to understand your migraine patterns in depth. They'll ask when your migraines started, what triggers you've noticed, and how they impact your life. They may ask about your family history of migraines since genetics play a role.

Medical History Review and Assessment

The researchers need to know if you have conditions that might interfere with the study or put you at risk. They'll ask about heart disease, high blood pressure, liver problems, and kidney issues.

During this review, researchers are looking for reasons you might not be able to safely participate. Some trials require participants to have a certain migraine frequency. Others exclude people taking specific medications that could interact with the study drug or device.

Physical and Neurological Examination

A physician or nurse practitioner will perform a physical examination. They'll check your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. They may listen to your heart and lungs. This baseline information helps researchers track any changes during the study.

A neurological exam comes next. The doctor will test your reflexes, check your muscle strength, and assess your balance. They might ask you to follow their finger with your eyes or touch your nose with your eyes closed. They'll test your memory and concentration. These tests establish your normal neurological function before you start the trial.

Blood Work and Lab Tests

You'll likely have blood drawn for testing. The lab checks your kidney and liver function to make sure you can safely take the study medication. Blood tests can reveal infections, anemia, or other conditions that might disqualify you. Some trials require baseline blood work to establish your starting point for comparison later.

You may need additional tests depending on the study. Some trials require an electrocardiogram to check your heart function. Others might include an EEG to measure brain activity. Imaging studies like MRI or CT scans are sometimes necessary to rule out other causes of your headaches.

Headache Diary Training

Researchers will ask you to keep a detailed headache diary before the trial officially starts. This serves two purposes. First, it lets you record your actual migraine patterns rather than relying on memory. Second, it helps researchers confirm you meet the frequency requirements.

You'll learn how to document each headache. You'll record when it started, how long it lasted, and how severe it was on a pain scale. You'll note any triggers you noticed and what medications you took. Some trials provide apps for tracking. Others use paper diaries. Either way, accuracy matters tremendously.

Eligibility Determination and Informed Consent

After completing all screening components, the research team reviews everything. They decide whether you're eligible to participate. If you are, they'll schedule a visit to discuss the informed consent document.

This document explains the study in detail. It covers what you'll need to do, potential risks, possible benefits, and how your data will be protected. A researcher will read through it with you and answer all your questions thoroughly. You should understand everything before signing. Your participation is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw anytime.

Final Screening Visit

Before starting the actual trial, you'll have one more screening appointment. Researchers may repeat some tests like blood work or vital signs. You'll confirm you're still willing to participate. You'll receive instructions about what to do before your first treatment day.

This final visit gives you a chance to ask last-minute questions. Researchers will clarify what happens next and answer any concerns. They'll explain the schedule and what you need to bring to future appointments.

Moving Forward

The screening process might feel thorough and demanding. It exists to protect your safety and ensure the study produces reliable results. Once you complete screening and begin the trial, you'll understand why these precautions matter.