Trial Outcomes & Findings for Omega-3 Supplementation for Pediatric Migraine (NCT NCT06899074)

NCT ID: NCT06899074

Last Updated: 2026-07-02

Results Overview

The Omega-3 Index is defined as the combined percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cell membranes, expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids. Possible range: 0-100%. Higher values indicate greater incorporation of omega-3-fatty acids (favorable outcome). This outcome compares the change in omega-3 index levels via finger prick blood test.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

57 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline and 12 weeks

Results posted on

2026-07-02

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats
Participants received an omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) dietary supplement intervention daily for 12 weeks. Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats: Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) / 60% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Matching Placebo
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Matching Placebo: The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.
Overall Study
STARTED
30
27
Overall Study
COMPLETED
22
22
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
8
5

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Omega-3 Supplementation for Pediatric Migraine

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fats (PUFA) dietary supplement intervention daily for 12 weeks. Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats: Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) / 60% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Matching Placebo
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Matching Placebo: The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.
Total
n=44 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
14.0 years
n=20 Participants
14.0 years
n=20 Participants
14.0 years
n=40 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
12 Participants
n=20 Participants
14 Participants
n=20 Participants
26 Participants
n=40 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
10 Participants
n=20 Participants
8 Participants
n=20 Participants
18 Participants
n=40 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
n=20 Participants
1 Participants
n=20 Participants
3 Participants
n=40 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
17 Participants
n=20 Participants
20 Participants
n=20 Participants
37 Participants
n=40 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
3 Participants
n=20 Participants
1 Participants
n=20 Participants
4 Participants
n=40 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
00 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=40 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=40 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=40 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
n=20 Participants
2 Participants
n=20 Participants
4 Participants
n=40 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
18 Participants
n=20 Participants
16 Participants
n=20 Participants
34 Participants
n=40 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=40 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants
n=20 Participants
4 Participants
n=20 Participants
6 Participants
n=40 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
22 Participants
n=20 Participants
22 Participants
n=20 Participants
44 Participants
n=40 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks

The Omega-3 Index is defined as the combined percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cell membranes, expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids. Possible range: 0-100%. Higher values indicate greater incorporation of omega-3-fatty acids (favorable outcome). This outcome compares the change in omega-3 index levels via finger prick blood test.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement intervention daily for 12 weeks. Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats: Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% EPA / 60% DHA.
Matching Placebo
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Matching Placebo: The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.
Mean Change in Omega-3 Index Levels in Blood
1.67 combined percentage of EPA and DHA
Standard Error 0.32
0.02 combined percentage of EPA and DHA
Standard Error 0.10

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks

The associations between omega-3 (O3) index levels and pain intensity will be assessed based on validated self-report measures using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Pain Intensity Measure (PPIM). The PROMIS Pain Intensity instruments assess how much the child hurts. The PROMIS Pediatric Pain Intensity Measure is a 3-item, self-report measure for children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 with chronic pain, using a 5-point Likert scale including three items rating pain from "Had no pain" = 1 to "Very severe" = 5. Total raw scores for the short form are summed for the values of the response to each question. Raw score range: 3-15. Raw scores are then converted to t-scores using a standardized scale where 50 represents the average of the general US population, and each 10-point difference represents one standard deviation. T-score range: 26.8-74.1. Higher scores indicate worse or more intense pain.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement intervention daily for 12 weeks. Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats: Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% EPA / 60% DHA.
Matching Placebo
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Matching Placebo: The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.
Mean Self-reported Pain Intensity Levels
Baseline
42.8 t-score
Standard Error 2.06
48.0 t-score
Standard Error 2.17
Mean Self-reported Pain Intensity Levels
Week 12
40.92 t-score
Standard Error 2.07
43.61 t-score
Standard Error 2.09

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks

The associations between omega-3 index levels and pain interference will be assessed based on validated self-report measures using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Pain Interference Scale (PPIS). The PROMIS Pediatric Pain Interference Scale is an 8-item self-report questionnaire completed by children that assesses how pain impacts a child's daily activities of living and the enjoyment of those activities using a 5-point likert scale. This survey is measured on a scale of 1-5, from 1 being never to 5 being almost always. A lower score will indicate less pain interference in the pediatric patient. Raw scores are then converted to t-scores using a standardized scale where 50 represents the average of the general US population, and each 10-point difference represents one standard deviation. T-score range: 43.8-83.5.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement intervention daily for 12 weeks. Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats: Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% EPA / 60% DHA.
Matching Placebo
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Matching Placebo: The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.
Mean Self-reported Pain Interference Levels
Baseline
57.61 t-score
Standard Error 1.21
59.42 t-score
Standard Error 1.42
Mean Self-reported Pain Interference Levels
Week 12
51.71 t-score
Standard Error 2.08
52.12 t-score
Standard Error 2.39

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks

The validated Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment tool (PedMIDAS) was used to measure migraine disability by self-report. PedMIDAS was developed to assess migraine disability in pediatric and adolescent patients ages 4-18. It is intended to be self-administered by the patient and their parent. The PedMIDAS is scored by summing the answers across 6 questions. The raw score ranges from 0 (minimum) to 240 (maximum). Higher scores reflect greater headache-related disability, with clinical cut-off scores graded 0-10 indicating "little to none", 11-30 indicating "mild", 31-50 indicating "moderate", or greater than 50 indicating "severe" migraine disability. The number of participants meeting each category was recorded.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement intervention daily for 12 weeks. Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats: Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% EPA / 60% DHA.
Matching Placebo
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Matching Placebo: The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Baseline-Little to none
8 Participants
4 Participants
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Baseline-Mild
5 Participants
9 Participants
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Baseline-Moderate
3 Participants
6 Participants
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Baseline-Severe
6 Participants
3 Participants
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Week 12-Little to none
12 Participants
13 Participants
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Week 12-Mild
4 Participants
6 Participants
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Week 12-Moderate
3 Participants
1 Participants
Migraine Disability as Determined by the PedMIDAS Grade
Week 12-Severe
3 Participants
2 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks

Population: Data from one Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats participant were excluded from the RCADS analysis due to incomplete questionnaire completion. In accordance with the protocol, only complete responses were included to ensure data integrity and minimize bias risk.

The validated Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)-short version will be used to measure psychological distress by self-report. The RCADS is a 25-item questionnaire designed to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years using a 4-point Likert scale. Each item is assigned a numerical value from 0-3, where 0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, and 3 = Always, with a raw score range of 0 to 75. Raw scores are converted to standardized T-scores based on their age (grade level) and gender. T-score range: 24-163. RCADS T-scores a reported with a standardized mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. A higher T-score indicates a higher level of anxiety and/or depression in the pediatric patient. These standardized scores indicate the severity of their symptoms compared to peers in the general population. T-scores \< 65 indicate normal or low severity; T-scores of 65-69 are borderline; T-scores \>/= 70 are clinical severity.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats
n=21 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement intervention daily for 12 weeks. Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats: Omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement daily for 12 weeks. The intervention is 1 teaspoon of liquid omega-3 containing oil profile 40% EPA / 60% DHA.
Matching Placebo
n=22 Participants
Participants received an omega-3 PUFA dietary supplement matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Matching Placebo: The placebo is a matched 1 teaspoon liquid of coconut oil, consisting mainly of saturated fatty acids and lacking omega-3 fatty acids.
Psychological Distress as Determined by the RCADS
Baseline
50.24 t-score
Standard Error 2.76
53.32 t-score
Standard Error 3.61
Psychological Distress as Determined by the RCADS
Week 12
45.00 t-score
Standard Error 2.38
48.45 t-score
Standard Error 3.44

Adverse Events

Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fats

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Matching Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Samantha Glover, DDS

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Phone: 919-537-3956

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place