Table 1. Included trial characteristics.
| Study, Year, Country | Comparison (mg) | Headache Type | Classification | Design | Duration (weeks) | Sample Size (dropout %) | Age | Women | Dose titrated | Rescue Medication Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acebutolol | ||||||||||
| Nanda, 1978, Scotland | Acebutolol (800) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 12 | 43 (23%) | NS | 74% | Yes | Yes |
| Alprenolol | ||||||||||
| Ekbom, 1975, Sweden | Alprenolol (200) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 6 | 33 (15) | 41.5 | 82% | No | Yes |
| Atenolol | ||||||||||
| Forssman, 1983, Sweden | Atenolol (100) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 13 | 24 (17) | 40 | 80% | No | Yes |
| Johannsson, 1987, Sweden | Atenolol (100) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 72 (13) | 43 | 70% | No | Yes |
| Stensrud, 1980, Norway | Propranolol (160) v. Atenolol (100) | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 6 | 35 (20) | NS | 69% | No | Yes |
| Bisoprolol | ||||||||||
| van de Ven, 1997, Europe | Bisoprolol (5) v. Bisoprolol (10) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | IHS1988 | Parallel | 12 | 226 (14) | 38.7 | 82% | No | Yes |
| Metoprolol | ||||||||||
| Andersson, 1983, Denmark | Metoprolol (200) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | WFNRG 1969 | Parallel | 8 | 71 (13) | 39.7 | 85% | No | Yes |
| Diener, 2001, Europe | Metoprolol (200) v. Aspirin (300) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 16 | 270 (15) | 39.4 | 81% | Yes | Yes |
| Gong, 2016, China | Metoprolol (25) + Flunarizine (5) v. Flunarizine (5) | Migraine-unspecified | Parallel | 12 | 80 (0) | 47.5 | 40% | No | Yes | |
| Grotemeyer, 1988, Germany | Metoprolol (200) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-episodic | Ad hoc 1962 | Crossover | 7 | 29 (17) | 39 | 79% | No | Yes |
| Grotemeyer, 1990, Germany | Metoprolol (200) v. Acetylsalicyclic Acid (1500) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Crossover | 12 | 28 (NS) | 31 | 82% | No | Yes |
| Hesse, 1994, Denmark | Metoprolol (100) v. Acupuncture | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 17 | 85 (10) | 44.7 | 84% | No | Yes |
| Kangasniemi, 1987, Scandinavia | Metoprolol (200) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 8 | 77 (11) | 37.5 | 80% | No | Yes |
| Langohr, 1985, Germany | Metoprolol (100) v. Clomipramine (100) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 4 | 63 (43) | 44.4 | 67% | No | Yes |
| Li, 2006, China | Metoprolol (125) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 60 (0) | 48.5 | 100% | No | Yes |
| Louis 1985, Europe | Metoprolol (100) v. Clonidine (0.1) | Migraine-episodic | WFNRG 1969 | Crossover | 8 | 31 (26) | 35.5 | 81% | Yes | Yes |
| Ma, 2011, China | Metoprolol (50) + Flunarizine (5) v. Flunarizine (5) | Migraine-episodic | HIS 2004 | Parallel | 48 | 56 (0) | 36.3 | 65% | No | Yes |
| Schellenberg, 2008, Germany | Metoprolol (142.5) v. Nebivolol (5) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 2004 | Parallel | 18 | 30 (7) | 39 | 87% | Yes | Yes |
| Siniatchkin, 2007, Germany | Metoprolol (200) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | IHS2004 | Parallel | 12 | 20 (0%) | 37 | 85% | Yes | Yes |
| Sorensen 1991, Denmark | Metoprolol (200) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 20 | 149 (1) | 42 | 79% | No | Yes |
| Steiner, 1988, UK | Metoprolol Cr (100) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Vahlquist 1955 | Parallel | 8 | 59 (NS) | 37.4 | 76% | No | Yes |
| Streng 2005, Germany | Metoprolol (200) v. Acupuncture) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1997 | Parallel | 12 | 114 (17) | 36.6 | 88% | Yes | Yes |
| Vilming, 1985, Sweden | Metoprolol (100) v. Pizotifen (1.5) | Migraine-episodic | WFNRG 1969 | Crossover | 8 | 35 (14) | 37.6 | 83% | Yes | Yes |
| Worz 1992, Germany | Metoprolol (200) v. Bisoprolol (10) | Migraine-episodic | IHS1988 | Crossover | 12 | 125 (38) | 38.5 | 71% | Yes | Yes |
| Yang, 2006, China | Metoprolol (90) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 60 (0) | 48.5 | 100% | No | Yes |
| Yang, 2016, China | Metoprolol (95) v. Metoprolol (95) + Fluoxetine | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 6 | 120 (0) | 38.4 | 64% | No | Yes |
| Zhou, 2015, China | Metoprolol (95) v. Metoprolol (95) + Fluoxetine | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 6 | 112 (0) | 37.0 | 63% | No | Yes |
| Nadolol | ||||||||||
| Freitag, 1984, USA | Nadolol (80) v. Nadolol (160) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | Ad-hoc 1962 | Parallel | 12 | 32 (20) | 36.7 | 81% | No | Yes |
| Ryan, 1982, USA | Nadolol (80) v. Nadolol (160) v Nadolol (240) v Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 12 | 80 (1%) | NS | 78% | No | Yes |
| Oxprenolol | ||||||||||
| Ekbom, 1977, Sweden | Oxprenolol (240) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 34 (12) | 41.8 | 76% | No | Yes |
| Pindolol | ||||||||||
| Ekbom, 1972, Sweden | Pindolol (7.5) v. Pindolol (15) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Parallel | 4 | 30 (NS) | 33.7 | 87% | No | Yes |
| Pindolol + Amitriptyline | ||||||||||
| Agius, 2013, Italy | Pindolol (10)+ Amitriptyline (10) v. Amitriptyline (10) v. Placebo | Tension-chronic | IHS 2004 | Parallel | 8 | 64 (3) | 35.6 | 74% | No | Yes |
| Streng, 2005, Germany | Metoprolol (200) v. Acupuncture | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1997 | Parallel | 12 | 114 (17) | 36.6 | 88% | Yes | Yes |
| Propranolol | ||||||||||
| Ahuja, 1985, India | Propranolol (120) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 8 | 26 (NS) | NS | 46% | No | NS |
| al-Qassab, 1993, UK | Propranolol (80) v. Propranolol (160) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 8 | 45 (33) | 36 | 80% | No | Yes |
| Albers, 1989, USA | Propranolol (180) v. Nifedipine (60) | Migraine-episodic | Ad hoc 1962 | Parallel | 24 | 40 (37) | 35.2 | 89% | Yes | Yes |
| Andersson, 1981, Denmark | Propranolol (160) v. Femoxitine (400) | Migraine | NS | Crossover | 24 | 49 (24) | 38 | 69% | Yes | Yes |
| Ashtari, 2008, Iran | Propranolol (80) vs. Topiramate (50) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 2005 | Parallel | 8 | 62 (3) | 30.8 | 82% | Yes | Yes |
| Baldrati, 1983, Italy | Propranolol (80) v. Aspirin (1.9 mg/kg) | Migraine-not specified | Ad hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 18 (33) | 33.3 | 89% | No | NS |
| Behan, 1980, Scotland | Propranolol (120) v. Methysergide (3) | Migraine-not specified | NS | Crossover | 12 | 56 (36) | NS | 66% | No | No |
| Bonuso, 1998, Italy | Propranolol (80) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-not specified | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 8 | 50 (16) | 32 | 68% | No | NS |
| Bordini, 1997, Brazil | Propranolol (60) v. Flunarizine (10) v. Combo. | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 17 | 52 (13) | 31.2 | 91% | No | Yes |
| Borgesen, 1974, Denmark | Propranolol (120) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 12 (33) | 37.6 | 83% | Yes | Yes |
| Carroll, 1990, UK | Propranolol (80) v. Propranolol (160) | Migraine-episodic | Ad hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 51 (27) | 39 | 69% | No | Yes |
| Chen, 2009, China | Propranolol (60) + Flunarizine (10) v. Topoiramate (100) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 82 (0) | 38.2 | 60% | Yes | Yes |
| Dahlof, 1987, Sweden | Propranolol (120) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | WFNRG 1969 | Crossover | 4 | 28 (0) | NS | 93% | No | Yes |
| Diener, 1996, German | Propranolol (120) v. Cylcendalate (1200) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 214 (17) | 39 | 78% | Yes | Yes |
| Diener, 2002, Germany | Propranolol (160) v. Flunarizine (5) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 16 | 808 (18) | 38.8 | 63% | Yes | Yes |
| Diener, 2004, Europe | Propranolol (160) v. Topiramate (100) v. Topiramate (200) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 26 | 575 (37) | 41 | 80% | Yes | Yes |
| Domingues, 2009, Brazil | Propranolol (80) v. Nortriptyline (40) v. Combo. | Migraine-chronic | IHS 2004 | Parallel | 12 | 76 (42) | NS | NS | Yes | Yes |
| DongXiang, 2010, China | Propranolol (90) + Amitriptyline (100) v. Amitriptyline (100) | Migraine-episodic | HIS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 310 (0) | 32.5 | 80% | Yes | Yes |
| Formisano, 1991, Italy | Propranolol (120) v. Nimodipine (120) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 16 | 22 (14) | 39.2 | 55% | No | Yes |
| Forssman, 1976, Sweden | Propranolol (240) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | NS | Crossover | 10 | 40 (20) | 37.4 | 88% | No | Yes |
| Gawel, 1992, Canada | Propranolol (120) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-episodic | WFNRG 1970 | Parallel | 16 | 94 (19) | 35.9 | 89% | Yes | Yes |
| Gerber, 1991, Germany | Propranolol (120) v. Metoprolol (150) v. Nifedipine (30) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 58 (NS) | 42.4 | 73% | Yes | Yes |
| Gerber, 1995, Germany | Propranolol (120/160) v. Cyclandelate (1200/1600) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 8 | 84 (26) | 40.9 | 90% | No | Yes |
| Ghobadi, 2013, Iran | Propranolol (120) v. Nimodipine (30) | Migraine | IHS 2004 | Parallel | 24 | 102 (2) | 47 | 83% | No | Yes |
| Grotemeyer, 1987, German | Propranolol (120) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 30 (20) | 36 | 73% | No | Yes |
| Havanka-Kannianen, 1988, Finland | Propranolol (80) v. Propranolol (160) | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 48 (13) | 37.7 | 81% | No | Yes |
| Hedman, 1986, Denmark | Propranolol (80) v. Metoprolol (100) | Migraine-episodic | WFNRG 1970 | Crossover | 4 | 12 (0) | 40 | 67% | NS | Yes |
| Holdorff, 1977, Germany | Propranolol (120) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Parallel | 12 | 53 (30) | NS | NS | No | Yes |
| Holroyd, 2010, USA | Propranolol/Nadolol v. Propranolol/Nadolol + Behavior Therapy v. Behavior therapy v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 64 | 232 (51) | 38.2 | 79% | Yes | Yes |
| Jin, 2001, China | Propranolol (30) + Flunarizine (10) v. Diazepam (30) + Nimodipine (60) | Migraine | NS | Parallel | 24 | 84 (0) | NS | 75% | No | Yes |
| Johnson, 1986, New Zealand | Propranolol (240) Mefenamic Acid (1500) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 12 | 29 (41) | 42 | 69% | No | Yes |
| Kangasniemi 1983, Finland | Propranolol (160) v. Femoxetine (400) | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 12 | 29 (11) | 37 | 86% | No | Yes |
| Kangasniemi 1984, Finland | Propranolol (240) v. Metoprolol (200) | Migraine-episodic | WFNRG 1970 | Crossover | 8 | 36 (6) | 33.8 | 89% | No | Yes |
| Kaniecki, 1997, USA | Propranolol (240) v. Divalproex (1500) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Crossover | 12 | 37 (14) | NS | 81% | Yes | Yes |
| Kass, 1980, Norway | Propranolol (160) v. Clonidine (0.1) | Migraine-unspecified | WFNRG 1970 | Crossover | 16 | 23 (9) | 39.7 | 30% | No | Yes |
| Kaushik, 2005, India | Propranolol (80) v. Biofeedback | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 24 | 192 (13) | NS | 69% | No | Yes |
| Ke, 2003, China | Propranolol (30) v. Propranolol (30) + Flunarizine (5) v. Flunarizine (5) | Migraine-chronic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 8 | 121 (0) | 31 | 74% | No | Yes |
| Kjaersgard 1994, Denmark | Propranolol (120) v. Tolfenamic Acid (300) | Migraine-unspecified | IHS 1988 | Crossover | 12 | 76 (26) | 43.3 | 79% | No | Yes |
| Klapper, 1994,USA | Propranolol (140) v. Divalproex (1100) | Migraine-unspecified | IHS 1988 | Crossover | 8 | 24 (50) | NS | NS | Yes | Unclear |
| Kozubski, 1995, Poland | Propranolol (160) Valproaic Acid (1500) | Migraine-unspecified | IHS 1988 | Crossover | 10 | 35 (NS) | NS | 100% | Yes | NS |
| Kuritzky, 1987, Israel | Propranolol (160) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 8 | 38 (18) | NS | NS | No | Yes |
| Li, 2002, China | Propranolol (30) v. Flunarizine (5) | Migraine-Episodic | IHS, 1988 | Parallel | 4 | 126 (0) | 38.7 | 60% | No | Yes |
| Li, 2004, China | Propranolol (60) v. Valproate (.45 mg/kg) | Migraine-Episodic | NS | Parallel | 36 | 40 (0) | NS | NS | No | NS |
| Lucking, 1988, Germany | Propranolol (120) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 16 | 521 (NS) | 42 | 80% | No | Yes |
| Maissen, 1991, Germany | Propranolol (120) v. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (300) | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 16 | 39 (18) | 39.4 | 67% | Yes | Yes |
| Malvea, 1973, USA | Propranolol (NS) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 6 | 31 (6) | NS | 87% | Yes | Yes |
| Mathew, 1980, USA | Propranolol (160) v. Placebo v. Amitriptyline (75) v. Biofedback | Mixed- headaches | NS | Parallel | 24 | 340 (20) | 35.5 | 94% | Yes | Yes |
| Mikkelsen, 1986, Denmark | Propranolol (120) v. Tolfenamic Acid (300) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 31 (21) | 39.4 | 84% | No | Yes |
| Nadelmann, 1986, USA | Propranolol (320) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 57 (39) | NS | 86% | No | Yes |
| Nair, 1975, India | Propranolol (80) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 8 | 20 (0) | 27.3 | 50% | No | No |
| Nambiar, 2011, India | Propranolol (80) v. Riboflavin (100) | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 24 | 100 (NS) | 31 | 55% | Yes | Yes |
| Palferman, 1983, UK | Propranolol (120) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | NS | Crossover | 8 | 10 (38) | 41.4 | 80% | No | Yes |
| Olerud, 1986, Sweden | Propranolol (80) v. Nadolol (80) | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 24 | 28(NS) | NS | 79% | No | Yes |
| Pita, 1977, Spain | Propranolol (160) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 8 | 9 (0) | 32 | 78% | No | Yes |
| Pradalier, 1989, Norway | Propranolol (160) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 74 (26) | 37.4 | 76% | No | NS |
| Ryan, 1984, USA | Propranolol (160) v. Nadolol (80) v. Nadolol (160) | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 12 | 48 (6) | NS | 73% | No | Yes |
| Sargent, 1985, USA | Propranolol (120) v. Naproxen (1100) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Parallel | 14 | 149 (16) | 30 | 79% | Yes | Yes |
| Shimell, 1990, South Africa | Propranolol (180) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-episodic | Ad hoc 1962 | Parallel | 16 | 58 (2) | 34 | 70% | Yes | NS |
| Silberstein, 2012, USA | Propranolol (240) + Topiramate (100) v. Topiramate (100) | Migraine-chronic | IHS 2006 | Parallel | 24 | 191 (39) | 42 | 90% | Yes | Yes |
| Sjaastad, 1972, Norway | Pindolol (15) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 4 | 28 (14) | 35.3 | 79% | Yes | Yes |
| Soyka, 1990, Germany | Propranolol (120) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-unspecified | NS | Parallel | 16 | 434 | 42 | 82% | Yes | Yes |
| Standnes, 1982, Norway | Propranolol (80) v. Timolol (10) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 25 (28) | 41.4 | 80% | Yes | Yes |
| Stensrud, 1976, Norway | Propranolol (160) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 4 | 20 (5) | 43.5 | 70% | No | Yes |
| Stensrud, 1980, Norway | Propranolol (80) v. Atenolol (50) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 6 | 35 (20) | NS | 69% | No | Yes |
| Stovner, 2014, Norway | Propranolol (160) v. Candesartan (16) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 12 | 72 (15) | 37 | 82% | Yes | Yes |
| Sudilovsky, 1987, USA | Propranolol (160) v. Nadolol (80) v. Nadolol (160) | Migraine-episodic | Ad hoc 1962 | Parallel | 12 | 140 (30) | 39.3 | 76% | Yes | Yes |
| Tfelt-Hansen, 1984, Scandinavia | Propranolol (160) v. Timolol (20) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 96 (28) | 39.5 | 74% | No | Yes |
| Weber, 1971, USA | Propranolol (20) v. Placebo | Migraine-unspecified | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 25 (24) | 40.6 | 52% | No | Yes |
| Wideroe, 1974, Norway | Propranolol (160) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 12 | 30 (13) | 40 | 90% | No | Yes |
| Wen, 2016, China | Propranolol (30) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine Episodic | NS | Parallel | 8 | 100 (0) | 25.6 | 65% | No | Yes |
| Yuan, 2005, China | Propranolol (120) v. Topiramate (150) | Migraine-unspecified | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 12 | 67 (0) | 29.9 | 64% | Yes | No |
| Zhu, 2005, China | Propranolol (30) v. Flunarizine (10) | Migraine-unspecified | IHS 1988 | Parallel | 8 | 90 (0) | 28.1 | 73% | No | No |
| Ziegler, 1993, USA | Propranolol (240) v. Amitriptyline (150) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | NS | Crossover | 10 | 54 (44) | 38 | 73% | Yes | Yes |
| Timolol | ||||||||||
| Briggs, 1979, UK | Timolol (20) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 6 | 14 (7) | NS | 71% | No | Yes |
| Stellar, 1984, USA | Timolol (30) v. Placebo | Migraine-episodic | Ad-hoc 1962 | Crossover | 8 | 107 (12) | 43 | 72% | No | Yes |
NS: Not Stated