A promising migraine and headache treatment has been used on a patient for the first time, on the Sunshine Coast.
It involved implanting bioelectronic foils, which essentially deliver electrical pulses to stimulate parts of the brain, to a 29-year-old woman at Nambour Selangor Private Hospital.
Dutch start-up Salvia BioElectronics issued a press release heralding its paper-thin neuromodulation solution.
Interventional pain specialist Dr Paul Frank, who performed the procedure, said it “ushers in a new era of possibilities in headache treatment”.
The woman, who has suffered from debilitating headaches since the age of 14, experienced immediate improvements in the frequency and intensity of her cluster headache attacks after the treatment.
“This little device allows me to regain control of my life and provides the opportunity to fully engage with my young family,” she said.
While many people with migraine and cluster headache can be treated using current medical methods, a significant number of patients do not find relief and are in desperate need of effective treatment.
Recognising this need, Salvia BioElectronics was founded in 2017 with a mission to restore the lives of people with severe headaches.
The company focuses on developing flexible bioelectronic foils that can conform to the anatomy of the head, offering a promising neuromodulation solution.
“We restore balance in the brain,” Salvia BioElectronics chief medical officer Dr Wim Pollet said.
He said the successful treatment of its first Australian patient represented a significant step towards the mission of providing effective, safe and accessible solutions for people suffering from migraine and cluster headaches worldwide.
“This first procedure is a significant milestone in our journey to help patients find relief,” he said.
“We are eager to continue our clinical trial program with the ultimate goal of restoring patients’ lives.”
Dr Frank, the driving force behind the multi-disciplinary Resolve Pain Clinic in Buderim and principal investigator of the first clinical trial, was excited about Salvia’s solution.
“Working with Salvia to implant our first patient was an excellent experience,” he said.
“I am thrilled that this new technology can significantly impact the lives of many patients.”
The patient was referred by neurologist and headache specialist Dr Ben Tsang, part of the private clinic Beach Brain on the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s remarkable to witness the patient’s improved health and I’m eager to observe the validation of this innovation’s effectiveness in broader studies, potentially bringing relief to many patients with disabling headaches,” he said.
This month signifies the three-month milestone for the Australian patient who received the groundbreaking implant.
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