An innovative smart health device can prevent migraines

May 16, 2019

A connected smart health object that prevent migraines and allows it to be effectively treated without medication, is the dream of many people suffering from such a chronic pathology. This is precisely what Cefaly promises, a connected smart health prevent migraines system that stimulates a specific nerve and significantly reduces the occurrence of a migraine, while effectively helping to make it disappear if a crisis occurs.

A migraine is particularly disabling and unbearable. Some people unfortunately suffer from migraine frequently, forcing them to isolate themselves in the dark with their suffering and take particularly powerful medications with awkward side effects. The connected object Cefaly now offers another alternative, much softer and without side effects, to both treat a migraine but also prevent the appearance of headaches.

Cefaly Technology, initially known as STX-Med (a start-up with a mission to research and innovation in the field of electronics and bio-electronics), is also a nugget. Created in 2004 by Doctors Pierre-Yves Muller and Pierre-François Rigaux in the fold of the Walloon incubator of WSL engineering sciences, the Liège company has come a long way since then. Indeed, launched the following year, the project called Cefaly named this innovative device of external cranial neurostimulation (non-invasively non-existent) has helped to make its reputation.

A flagship product for migraine prevention treatment

Thus, the flagship product developed and marketed by the eponymous company, which focuses on the treatment and prevention of migraines and other headaches, was the subject of a series of technical and clinical research. Which allowed a marketing launch in 2008 in the wake of certifications of technology and in parallel to the launch of new research projects. In addition, through several clinical studies conducted in collaboration with various academic centers including the one called Premice, the effectiveness and safety of Cefaly are proven with regard to its sedative effect and for the prevention of migraines.

The Cefaly connected system is a small device that is placed on the front. In practice, the person will first apply an adhesive electrode on his forehead and then place the device. The Cefaly box will then connect to the electrode via magnets. The device will then send micro-pulses to the trigeminal nerve. This specific nerve is involved in the process of migraine. These stimulations not only make it possible to reduce the pain in the event of a seizure, but also, used as a preventive measure, would reduce the incidence of migraine headaches in the patient.

The device, which the designers say offers “the best safety-efficacy ratio compared to medical anti-migraine”, would be a great alternative to taking anti-migraine drugs that are usually very potent and not devoid of uncomfortable side effects. Cefaly is also particularly recommended for preventing the onset of migraine attacks, always feared by people suffering from such ailments.

The results in medical imaging are also particularly interesting and fully validate the effectiveness of Cefaly in both migraine prevention and crisis treatment.

The market of Cefaly smart health prevent migraines

In addition to its presence on the Belgian market, Cefaly Technology then records its first positive export results, whether in France, Germany, Italy or even England and Denmark. The company originally based in Sart Tilman and which emigrated to the Hauts-Sarts then the Grace-Hollogne zoning is the only one to participate since 2013 in the European project on migraine called EuroHeadPain and which brings together eleven research centers. Its growth continues unabated in the following years with an arrival both on the American market where it has the required authorizations and where it opened a subsidiary in 2015 (which has just been considerably strengthened) than on other continents (in Saudi Arabia). Arabia, Brazil, Scandinavia but also more recently Taiwan, China and Japan where it has signed lucrative contracts).