Multi-center RCT of IV Ketamine Efficacy and Safety in Chronic Daily Headaches (KetHead)

A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Trial of Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Ketamine for Chronic Daily Headaches: The KetHead Study

Chronic daily headaches (CDH) poses a significant burden on patients, healthcare systems and the society. Intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion, an intervention that is widely available and scalable, can treat CDH by reversing receptor-mediated sensitization. This study is a multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel group randomized trial with blinding of participants and observers with the goal of comprehensively assessing the effect of high-dose IV ketamine infusion (1 mg.kg-1.h-1 for six hours) on the frequency and intensity of headaches, mood, activity, sleep, quality of life and safety of ketamine for three months after the interventions. Use of validated questionnaires, wearable technology, a research team that includes investigators with expertise in studying ketamine and in evaluating treatments for CDH and pain syndromes are some of the unique features of this project.

Our study aims to prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose intravenous ketamine infusions compared to saline infusions in participants with CDH syndrome.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Chronic Daily Headache
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Ketamine; Other: 0.9% Saline

Detailed Description

The KetHead study is designed as a multi-center, placebo-controlled, superiority randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups and blinding of participants and outcome assessors. It will be conducted at two chronic pain centers, Toronto Western Hospital and Sinai Health System. Eligible patients will be identified and enrolled in the pain clinics. Randomization will take place upon patient enrollment. Treating physicians, patients, close contacts, study coordinators and primary outcome assessors will be blinded to treatment allocation.

Interventions common to both arms Participating patients will receive the infusion at the pain infusion unit at Toronto Western Hospital, under hemodynamic monitoring, supervised by an Anesthesiologist. At the start of the infusion, all patients will receive IV midazolam 0.04 mg.kg-1 (maximum 3 mg) and subsequently 0.01-0.02 mg.kg-1 every hour to keep participants in a sedated but arousable state (Ramsay Sedation Scale score 3 or 4)22 to blind the participants and assessors to group allocation. Eight mg of ondansetron and 8 mg of dexamethasone will be administered to all participants to prevent nausea, 5000 units of heparin will be given subcutaneously to prevent thrombo-embolic events. Medications will be administered by an Anesthesiologist.

A. Intervention group: For individuals randomized to the IV Ketamine group, 1 mg.kg-1 bolus will be given. This will be prepared as a syringe of 10 cc of Ketamine 10 mg/ml. This is followed by an infusion of 1 mg.kg-1.hour-1 (ketamine diluted in saline to 2 mg/mL at 0.5 mL.kg-1.hour-1) for six hours.

B. Control group: For individuals in the saline infusion group, an IV bolus of 0.9% saline will be given. The volume will be the same as that of the ketamine bolus for that weight, to prevent unblinding of participants and assessors. This will be followed by an infusion 0.5 mL.kg-1.hour-1 of saline for six hours. The rate of the infusion will be the same as that of a ketamine infusion for that weight to prevent unblinding of participants and assessors.

Study personnel will assess patient and collect data throughout their enrollment in the study.

During the trial, patients will be instructed to use a pain and migraine diary for collection of migraine days, pain scores and rescue pain medication during the 12 weeks after infusion.

Patients will be assessed for collection of outcomes immediately after the infusion and at 1-month, 2-months and 3-months after infusion.

Participants in both arms will wear the actigraphy device starting on the day of infusion for one month to longitudinally assess the impact of the study treatments on sleep and activity.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 56
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Emad Al Azazi; Phone Number: 2508 +1 (416) 603 5800; Email: KetHead@uhn.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8
      • Recruiting
      • Toronto Western Hospital
      • Principal Investigator: Anuj Bhatia, MD, PhD
      • Contact: Emad Al Azazi; Phone Number: 2508 +1-416-603-5800; Email: kethead@uhn.ca
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1B2
      • Recruiting
      • Women's College Hospital
      • Contact: Didem Bozak; Email: kethead@uhn.ca

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-75 years
2. CDH diagnosis preceding trial enrollment with headache episodes lasting for 4 or more hours occurring on 15 or more days in a month for 3 or more months (International Headache Society-IHS criteria)
3. Normal liver and kidney function tests

Exclusion criteria:

1. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
2. Pre-existing renal impairment
3. Pre-existing liver impairment
4. Chronic benzodiazepine or antipsychotic medication use
5. History of cerebrovascular event
6. Significant and untreated hypertension or severe cardiac condition
7. Hypothyroidism
8. Glaucoma
9. Concomitant use of strong CYP2B6 or CYP2C8 inhibitor
10. Allergy or intolerance to ketamine
11. Pheochromocytoma
12. Any significant cognitive or language barriers that impede participation
13. CGRP antagonist use in 1 month or Onabotulinum-toxin A 3 months before infusion
14. Active diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
15. Active diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder
16. Patients taking opioid medications with daily Oral Morphine Equivalents ≥80 mg

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo infusion	Other: 0.9% Saline; Bolus of IV Saline 0.9% of 0.1 ml.kg-1 followed by Infusion of Saline 0.9% of 0.5 mL.kg-1.hour-1 for 6 hours. All patients will receive IV midazolam 0.04 mg.kg-1 (maximum 3 mg) and subsequently 0.01-0.02 mg.kg-1 every hour to keep participants in a sedated but arousable state (Ramsay Sedation Scale score 3 or 4) to blind the participants and assessors to group allocation. Ondansetron 8 mg and 8 mg of dexamethasone will be administered to prevent nausea, 5000 units of heparin will be given subcutaneously to prevent thrombo-embolic events.; Other Names: Normal saline
Active Comparator: Ketamine infusion; Intravenous Ketamine	Drug: Ketamine; Bolus of IV Ketamine 1 mg.kg-1 (= 0.1 ml.kg-1) followed by Infusion of Ketamine 1 mg.kg-1.hour-1 (= 0.5 mL.kg-1.hour-1) for 6 hours. All patients will receive IV midazolam 0.04 mg.kg-1 (maximum 3 mg) and subsequently 0.01-0.02 mg.kg-1 every hour to keep participants in a sedated but arousable state (Ramsay Sedation Scale score 3 or 4) to blind the participants and assessors to group allocation. Ondansetron 8 mg and 8 mg of dexamethasone will be administered to prevent nausea, 5000 units of heparin will be given subcutaneously to prevent thrombo-embolic events.; Other Names: Ketamine hydrochloride

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Difference in headache days between the 2 groups	Between-group difference in the number of headache days in the first 4 weeks after the infusion. (Defined as a day in which the headache lasts 4 or more hours, or a headache of any duration for which abortive treatment (anti-inflammatories, triptans, ergot derivatives, opioids) are taken. Patients will be asked to keep track of their headache days in a diary)	At 4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Impact of ketamine on headache intensity after infusion	Impact of ketamine on headache intensity at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, using Numerical Rating Scale (0-10)	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact of ketamine on headache frequency after infusion	Impact of ketamine on headache frequency at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, as number of headache episodes per day	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact of ketamine on headache duration after infusion	Impact of ketamine on duration of headache at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, from the headache diary maintained by patient	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact on sleep efficiency after ketamine infusion	Impact of ketamine on efficiency of sleep at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, measured with an actigraphy device	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact on quality of sleep after ketamine infusion	Impact of ketamine on quality of sleepat one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, assessed with the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) questionnaire	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact on physical activity after ketamine infusion	Impact of ketamine on physical activity at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, measured with actigraphy device	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact after ketamine infusion on daily activity	Impact of ketamine on seven daily activities (e.g. general activity, walking, mood etc.) at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, measured with Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) scale	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact of on emotional well being (for catastrophizing) after ketamine infusion	Impact of ketamine on emotional well being at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, using the PCS (pain catastrophizing scale) scale	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact of on emotional well being for anxiety after ketamine infusion	Impact of ketamine on emotional well being at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, using anxiety (GAD7- Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) scale	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact of on emotional well being for depression after ketamine infusion	Impact of ketamine on emotional well being at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, using depression (PHQ9-Patient Health Questionnaire9) questionnaire	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact of ketamine infusion on patient satisfaction	Impact of ketamine on patient satisfaction at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, using global improvement (PGIC) scales	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact on quality of life after ketamine infusion	Impact of ketamine on quality of life at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, using EQ-5D (European Quality of life) questionnaire	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Impact of ketamine infusion on analgesic consumption	Impact of ketamine on analgesic consumption at one month (4 weeks), two month (week 5-8) and three month (week 9-12) month after infusion, using name and dose of the analgesic use	At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Side effects after ketamine infusion	Side effects after the ketamine infusion as assessed using Bowdle questionnaire	Immediately after infusion and after 1 week
Side effects after ketamine infusion	Dissociative side effects assessed after the ketamine infusion, using the CADSS (Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale) checklist	Immediately after the infusion

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto
• Collaborators: Pfizer; The Canadian Pain Society
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Anuj Bhatia, MD, PhD, University Health Network, Toronto

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Schwenk ES, Dayan AC, Rangavajjula A, Torjman MC, Hernandez MG, Lauritsen CG, Silberstein SD, Young W, Viscusi ER. Ketamine for Refractory Headache: A Retrospective Analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2018 Nov;43(8):875-879. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000827.
• Pomeroy JL, Marmura MJ, Nahas SJ, Viscusi ER. Ketamine Infusions for Treatment Refractory Headache. Headache. 2017 Feb;57(2):276-282. doi: 10.1111/head.13013. Epub 2016 Dec 27.
• Orhurhu V, Orhurhu MS, Bhatia A, Cohen SP. Ketamine Infusions for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Anesth Analg. 2019 Jul;129(1):241-254. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004185.
• Hoydonckx Y, Singh M, Gilron I, Khan J, Narouze S, Dahan A, Curtis K, Cao X, Kara J, Bhatia A. Trial protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous ketamine for chronic daily headaches: the "KetHead" trial. Trials. 2023 Mar 1;24(1):155. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07186-3.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 22, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): April 1, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 5, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2026
• Last Verified: October 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: chronic pain; ketamine; migraine; daily headache
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Headache Disorders, Primary; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Migraine Disorders; Headache Disorders; Chronic Pain; Organic Chemicals; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Hydrocarbons; Cyclohexanes; Cycloparaffins; Hydrocarbons, Alicyclic; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Crystalloid Solutions; Isotonic Solutions; Solutions; Ketamine; Saline Solution
• Other Study ID Numbers: 21-5523

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Study results will first be disseminated at the local, national and international conferences and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No