title: High-flow oxygen therapy in cluster headache patients has no significant effect on nociception specific blink reflex parameters: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The exact pathophysiology of cluster headache is unclear. We examined the influence of interneurons on the trigemino-facial reflex arch and the effect of oxygen, by using the nociception specific blink reflex parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is no significant effect of oxygen, immediately and over time, on the nociception specific blink reflex parameters in ten male patients during the active phase of cluster headache, outside attacks. Also, there is no significant difference between the symptomatic and asymptomatic side. None of the subjects experienced a cluster headache attack during study participation. We therefore present the collected data as reference values of nociception specific trigeminal stimulation and the effect of oxygen on nociception specific blink reflex parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nociception specific blink reflex seems not a suitable instrument for exploring the pathophysiology of cluster headache.
authors: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Zuyderland Medical Center Heerlen, P.O. Box 5500, 6130 MB, Sittard, The Netherlands. dhaane@hotmail.com.|Current address: Department of Neurology, Mariaziekenhuis Noord-Limburg, Overpelt, Belgium. dhaane@hotmail.com.
authors: D Y P
authors: DY
authors: Haane
authors: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Zuyderland Medical Center Heerlen, P.O. Box 5500, 6130 MB, Sittard, The Netherlands. a.plaum@student.maastrichtuniversity.nl.|Current address: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. a.plaum@student.maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Plaum
authors: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Zuyderland Medical Center Heerlen, P.O. Box 5500, 6130 MB, Sittard, The Netherlands. p.koehler@atriummc.nl.
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Koehler
authors: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Zuyderland Medical Center Heerlen, P.O. Box 5500, 6130 MB, Sittard, The Netherlands. m.p.w.a.houben@atriummc.nl.
authors: M P W A
authors: MP
authors: Houben
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology*; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059225:Nociception / Q000502:physiology*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cluster headache; Nociception specific blink reflex; Normal values; Oxygen therapy