Clinical predictors of propranolol responsiveness in pediatric migraine: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of propranolol therapy and structured behavioral interventions in reducing headache severity in pediatric patients and to identify predictors of treatment response.

METHODS

In this prospective, single-center study, 178 pediatric patients diagnosed with migraine based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria were enrolled. Participants were allocated into two groups according to baseline Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (PedMIDAS) scores: Group 1 (PedMIDAS <15, n = 88) received standardized behavioral therapy, while Group 2 (PedMIDAS ≥15, n = 90) received propranolol (1-3 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were predefined as changes in monthly migraine attack frequency, PedMIDAS scores, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-measured headache intensity. Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin B₁₂ deficiency were evaluated as biochemical predictors, and adherence was monitored bi-weekly.

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant improvement at week 12. Monthly migraine attacks declined from 3.5 ± 1.6 to 2.1 ± 1.2 in Group 1 and from 6.4 ± 2.1 to 3.1 ± 1.7 in Group 2. PedMIDAS scores decreased from 8.60 ± 3.25 to 5.75 ± 2.52 and 24.40 ± 9.65 to 16.11 ± 7.72, respectively (p < 0.001 both). VAS scores also improved in both groups with no significant between-group difference in percentage reduction. A ≥50% reduction in attack frequency plus ≥1-grade PedMIDAS improvement defined treatment response. In the propranolol group, response was independently associated with benign paroxysmal vertigo and essential tremor, while vitamin D and vitamin B₁₂ deficiency predicted poorer outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Both propranolol and structured behavioral therapy effectively reduce migraine-related disability and pain in pediatric patients, yielding comparable proportional improvements. The identification of key clinical and biochemical predictors supports a personalized treatment approach, integrating comorbidity screening and nutritional assessment to optimize outcomes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT07180043, retrospectively registered.

©2026 The Author(s). Published by MRE Press.