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press releases | 13/03/2026

New approach to migraine treatment

Innovation fund project MIGRA-MD accepts 1,000 patients nationwide
Treating migraines more specifically and noticeably improving the quality of life of those affected - that is the aim of the "MIGRA-MD - Structured specialist migraine care - multimodal and digital" project. Digital applications, training and information services for doctors and patients as well as clear, guideline-based treatment pathways are intended to close gaps in migraine care. Patients have been able to participate in the program since 1 March 2026. Around 1,000 patients are to be enrolled over the next 18 months. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) is funding the innovation fund project of the LMU University Hospital Munich, the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG) and other project partners with over five million euros.
Symbolbild Migräne
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With MIGRA-MD, the LMU University Hospital Munich and project partners are offering a new program for people with migraines. It helps to find the right treatment more quickly - with digital applications, comprehensible information and clear treatment paths.

Participants document their symptoms in an app and receive tips, videos and exercises on living with migraines via the MIGRA-MD platform. Appointments with specially trained medical specialists are a central component of the program.

The program will run for twelve months and start in March 2026 at around 50 locations in Germany. If it is successful, it will be permanently incorporated into standard care.

PD Dr. med. Ruth Ruscheweyh
Quelle: LMU Klinikum
PD Dr. med. Ruth Ruscheweyh

One in ten people in Germany suffers from migraines, which mainly affect young and middle-aged people. Quality of life and work performance are often severely impaired. At the same time, not all migraine patients receive guideline-based and individually tailored treatment.

"Digital applications can significantly advance headache care," says PD Dr. Ruth Ruscheweyh, head of the MIGRA-MD project consortium at LMU University Hospital Munich and DMKG Executive Committee member. The therapy program for migraine patients runs for twelve months and combines digital offers with structured education and clear therapy paths.

Around 50 specialist centers throughout Germany are taking part in the project. Specialist doctors are being trained specifically in migraine treatment. In the DMKG headache register's doctor portal, they can view their patients' data and checklists for guideline-compliant diagnosis and drug therapy. "With such a database, specialists can provide much more targeted treatment," says Ruscheweyh.

Active role for patients

Participants document their headaches digitally using the DMKG app and a headache questionnaire. They attend three treatment appointments with trained specialists. At the same time, the online platform MIGRA-MD Wissen offers short videos and audios about migraines, aggravating factors and treatment options. Instructions on how to prevent migraines without medication are also available there, for example on stress reduction, relaxation techniques and exercise therapy. DMKG experts have developed these materials especially for MIGRA-MD.

Regular live webinars on headache topics with DMKG experts offer additional information and the opportunity to ask questions. PD Dr. Lars Neeb, President of the DMKG, is convinced: "If patients are well informed about their condition and the treatment options, they are more likely to take action themselves and the therapy will be more effective. We have developed MIGRA-MD Wissen specifically for this purpose."

Patient recruitment started on March 1

The therapy program has been accepting patients since 1 March 2026. Adults with migraine who are covered by statutory health insurance, who regularly have between four and 25 headache days per month and have tried no more than two migraine prophylactic medications without success can participate. The MIGRA-MD platform provides information about the project and uses questions to check the suitability of interested patients.

The project will run until 2029, when an evaluation of MIGRA-MD is planned. If this shows that the therapy program has reduced the frequency of headaches and the impairment of the participants' everyday lives, it may be recommended that MIGRA-MD be transferred to standard care. The self-help organization MigräneLiga e.V. has been supporting the project from the outset. President Veronika Bäcker says: "MIGRA-MD is a big step forward in migraine care. I can only recommend taking part."

The MIGRA-MD project partners

FAQ: MIGRA-MD innovation project

MIGRA-MD is a therapy program specifically for migraine patients.

It offers

  • state-of-the-art specialist treatment
  • digital headache documentation
  • Information platform with knowledge and instructions from experts
  • Webinars with experts followed by Q&A sessions

The MIGRA-MD project aims to improve migraine treatment in Germany. The aim is to support doctors in making guideline-based decisions and to close gaps in care. For migraine patients, better care should reduce the number of headache days and sustainably improve quality of life.

The MIGRA-MD therapy program runs for 12 months. Patients are randomly divided into two groups: One starts treatment immediately, the other after three months.

Participants document their headaches digitally via the DMKG app and a headache questionnaire and attend three treatment appointments with trained specialists.

In addition, the online platform MIGRA-MD Wissen offers short videos and audios on migraine, aggravating factors and treatment options as well as instructions on non-pharmacological prevention, such as stress reduction, relaxation techniques and exercise therapy.

In addition, regular live webinars provide information on headache topics and offer the opportunity to put questions to experts.

The MIGRA-MD therapy program is open to adults with migraine who are covered by statutory health insurance, who regularly have between four and 25 headache days per month and who have tried no more than two migraine prophylactic medications without success.

The MIGRA-MD therapy program has been accepting patients since 1 March 2026. The MIGRA-MD platform - structured specialist migraine care - multimodal and digital informs interested parties about the project and uses questions to check the suitability of interested patients.

A study assistant and a study physician from the LMU Clinic contact the eligible participants and provide them with detailed information about the study. If all inclusion criteria are met, they accept the participants into the study.

Author

Dr. Ruth Ruscheweyh is a specialist at the Headache Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Neurology at LMU University Hospital Munich and a member of the Executive Committee of the German Migraine and Headache Society. She heads the project consortium of the innovation fund project "MIGRA-MD - Structured specialist migraine care - multimodal and digital".

Sources and further links

All LMU Hospital Press Releases

Contact

PD Dr. med.  Ruscheweyh, Ruth

Department of Neurology

+49 89 4400-52455
Originally translated with DeepL