Leila Maghsoumi-Norouzabad - Nutrition and Metabolic Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences,Ahvaz, Iran
Anahita Mansoori - Nutrition and Metabolic Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences,Ahvaz, Iran
Reza Abed - Nutritionist in Aras hospital, Iran Social Security Organization, Parsabad, Ardabil, Iran
Farideh Shishehbor - Nutrition and Metabolic Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences,Ahvaz, Iran

Background and Aim: The present systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to analyze the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids on the frequency, severity and duration of migraine.Methods: This systematic review was performed by searching several databases for controlled clinical trials. Of the 13 trials, five, two and three RCTs met the eligibility criteria to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 on the frequency, duration and severity of migraine attacks, respectively. The Jadad scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias analysis. Overall estimates of the intervention effect were obtained from random effect meta-analysis. The studies’ heterogeneity was evaluated using the chi-squared test (χ2) (Cochran’s test (Q test)) and I2 test. Potential sources of heterogeneity among the trials were investigated by meta-regression analyses.Results: The results showed that, omega-3 intake had no effect on frequency (WMD= -0.20; 95%CI -0.67, 0.27; P=0.401, and I2 = 4.6%; P= 0.380)and severity (SMD= -0.59; 95%CI -1.85, 0.66; P=0.35, and I2 = 88.8%; P= 0.000) of migraine but had a reduction effect on the duration of migraine attacks (WMD=-3.44; 95%CI-5.70, -1.19; P=0.003, andI2= 0.0%; P= 0.926).Conclusion: In conclusion, omega-3 intake leads to a significant reduction of approximately 3.44 hours in the duration of migraine. Further randomized controlled trials of high methodological quality with adequate sample sizes are required to confirm the results of the meta-analyses.

Migraine; Omega-3; Fish oil; Ecosapentaenoic acid; Docosahexaenoic acid