A New Approach to Migraine Treatment

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Treating migraines more effectively and significantly improving the quality of life for those affected—that is the goal of the “MIGRA-MD – Structured Specialist Migraine Care – Multimodal and Digital” project. Digital applications, training and information resources for doctors and patients, as well as clear, guideline-based treatment pathways, are intended to close gaps in migraine care. Since March 1, 2026, those affected have been able to participate in the program. Over the next 18 months, approximately 1,000 patients are expected to be enrolled. The Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) is funding the innovation fund project of LMU Medical Center Munich, the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG), and other project partners with over five million euros.

One in ten people in Germany suffers from migraines, which primarily affect young and middle-aged adults. Quality of life and work performance are often severely impaired. At the same time, not all migraine patients receive treatment that is in line with guidelines and tailored to their individual needs.

“Digital applications can significantly advance the treatment of headaches,” says PD Dr. Ruth Ruscheweyh, head of the MIGRA-MD project consortium at LMU Medical Center in Munich and a member of the DMKG Executive Board. The treatment program for migraine patients runs for twelve months and combines digital tools with structured education and clear treatment pathways.

About 50 specialized centers across Germany are participating in the project. Specialists are receiving targeted training in migraine treatment. On the DMKG Headache Registry’s physician portal, they can clearly view their patients’ data as well as checklists for guideline-based diagnosis and drug therapy. “With this kind of data foundation, specialists can provide much more targeted treatment,” says Ruscheweyh.

An active role for patients

Participants track their headaches digitally using the DMKG app and a headache questionnaire. They attend three treatment appointments with trained specialists. At the same time, the MIGRA-MD online platform offers short videos and audio clips about migraines, triggering factors, and treatment options. It also provides guidance on non-pharmacological migraine prevention, such as stress reduction, relaxation techniques, and exercise therapy. DMKG experts developed these materials specifically for MIGRA-MD.

Regular live webinars on headache-related topics featuring DMKG experts provide additional information and an opportunity to ask questions. PD Dr. Lars Neeb, President of the DMKG, is convinced: “When patients are well-informed about their condition and treatment options, they are more likely to take an active role in their care, and treatment becomes more effective. We developed MIGRA-MD Wissen specifically for this purpose.”

Patient recruitment began on March 1

The treatment program has been accepting patients since March 1, 2026. Eligible participants are adults with migraine who have public health insurance, experience headaches on four to 25 days per month, and have tried no more than two migraine preventive medications without success. The MIGRA-MD platform provides information about the project and uses a questionnaire to assess the suitability of interested patients.

The project will run until 2029, at which point an evaluation of MIGRA-MD is planned. If this evaluation shows that the treatment program has reduced the frequency of headaches and the impact on participants’ daily lives, the transition of MIGRA-MD into standard care may be recommended. The self-help organization MigräneLiga e.V. has been supporting the project from the very beginning. President Veronika Bäcker says: “MIGRA-MD is a major step forward in migraine care. I highly recommend participating.”

The MIGRA-MD project partners:

The MIGRA-MD consortium is led by LMU Medical Center Munich. The consortium partners are:

• German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG, www.dmkg.de)
• Institute for Community Medicine at the University Medical Center Greifswald
• Institute for Information Systems at Hof University of Applied Sciences
• smartlytic GmbH
• University Medical Center Rostock
• Professional Association of German Neurologists
• Coordination Center for Clinical Trials at Dresden University of Technology
• BARMER and AOK Bayern as consortium health insurance funds.

MigräneLiga e.V. supports the project as a cooperation partner.

FAQ – die wichtigsten Fragen und Antworten zum MIGRA-MD-Innovationsprojekt

What is MIGRA-MD?
MIGRA-MD is a treatment programme specifically designed for migraine patients.
It offers:

• state-of-the-art specialist treatment
• digital headache documentation
• an information platform featuring expert knowledge and guidance
• webinars with experts followed by a Q&A session

The MIGRA-MD project aims to improve migraine treatment in Germany. The objective is to support doctors in making decisions in line with clinical guidelines and to close gaps in care. For migraine patients, improved care is intended to reduce the number of days with headaches and sustainably improve quality of life.

How does the MIGRA-MD treatment programme work?
The MIGRA-MD therapy programme runs for 12 months. Patients are randomly divided into two groups: one begins treatment immediately, the other after three months. Participants record their headaches digitally via the DMKG app and a headache questionnaire, and attend three treatment appointments with trained specialists. In addition, the MIGRA-MD Knowledge online platform offers short videos and audio clips on migraine, aggravating factors and treatment options, as well as guidance on non-pharmacological prevention, such as stress reduction, relaxation techniques and exercise therapy. Furthermore, regular live webinars provide information on headache-related topics and offer the opportunity to ask questions to experts.

Who is eligible to take part in the MIGRA-MD treatment programme?
The MIGRA-MD treatment programme is open to adults with migraine who are covered by statutory health insurance, who experience headaches on between four and 25 days per month, and who have tried no more than two migraine preventive medications without success.

How can I join the MIGRA-MD treatment programme?
The MIGRA-MD treatment programme has been accepting patients since 1 March 2026. TheMIGRA-MD Platform – Structured specialist migraine care – multimodal and digital (ger) provides information about the project to interested parties and uses a questionnaire to assess the suitability of interested patients.
A research assistant and a study doctor from LMU Medical Centre will contact eligible participants and provide them with detailed information about the study. If all inclusion criteria are met, the participants will be enrolled in the study.

Sources and further links

• Information and participation in the MIGRA-MD study (ger)
• Guideline on ‘Treatment of migraine attacks and migraine prophylaxis’ (including patient guide)
• Joint Federal Committee: Project description for MIGRA-MED (ger)