In this Position Statement, we advocate for raising the standards of migraine prevention by setting ambitious treatment goals aimed at optimal outcomes, such as migraine freedom or very low number of days with migraine or moderate/severe headache.

We emphasize the importance of addressing residual migraine burden, highlighting that achieving a ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine days, although often considered a successful response, may not fully restore quality of life.

Relying solely on percentage-based improvements can obscure the persisting impact of residual burden.

This Position Statement does not want to change the standards for clinical trials but aims primarily at real-world clinical practice and proposes a shift from percentage-based measures of success to absolute goals while on treatment.

Sacco S, Ashina M, Diener H-C, et al. Setting higher standards for migraine prevention: A position statement of the International Headache Society. Cephalalgia 2025;45(2). doi:10.1177/03331024251320608

Access all IHS guidelines, practice recommendations and position statements, plus the International Classification of Headache Disorders on the Guidelines page.