Table 2 Timetable of treatment and outcome collection

Time frame

/

Weeks − 4–0

Weeks 1–4

Weeks 5–8

Weeks 9–12

Weeks 13–16

Inclusion/exclusion criteria

×

Demographic characteristics

×

Informed consent

×

Random allocation

×

EA/placebo control treatment

×

Frequency of migraine attacks

×

×

×

×

×

Number of days with migraine

×

×

×

×

×

Dosage of ibuprofen

×

×

×

×

×

Visual analogue scale (VAS)

×

×

×

×

×

Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)

×

×

×

×

×

Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)

×

×

×

×

×

Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ)

×

×

×

×

×

Acupuncture expectancy assessment

×

Safety assessment

×

Compliance evaluation

×

Blinding evaluation

×