What You Should Know
- Theranica announced the publication of a peer-reviewed compatibility study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The study demonstrated that the Nerivio Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) wearable can be safely used at the same time as common Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems.
- The concurrent use of these devices does not disrupt glucose measurement accuracy.
- In the United States, an estimated 4.5 million people live with both diabetes and migraines. The study evaluated 21 adults using Nerivio alongside Abbott FreeStyle Libre and Dexcom systems.
- Results showed a median glucose reading deviation of only 1.6%, which is well below the predefined 5.0% threshold. Researchers observed zero Bluetooth disruptions, missed data transmissions, device malfunctions, or adverse events during the study.
Managing Migraines and Diabetes
This technical validation addresses a massive patient population. Globally, hundreds of millions of adults and adolescents are affected by migraines and diabetes. In the United States alone, an estimated 4.5 million individuals live with both conditions.
Many of these patients rely on wireless CGM systems (like the Abbott FreeStyle Libre or Dexcom devices) that transmit continuous blood-glucose measurements to smartphone apps via Bluetooth. Because the Nerivio wearable is also controlled and monitored through a smartphone app using Bluetooth, patients and providers have frequently questioned whether the two technologies could safely coexist.
“Migraine treatment can be especially complex for individuals with diabetes because many pharmacologic options carry metabolic or cardiovascular considerations,” noted Dr. Richelle deMayo, chief medical information officer at Connecticut Children’s Research Institute and a contributing author of the study. “As connected health technologies continue to expand, confirming safe multi-device operation is increasingly important for real-world patient care.”
The Clinical Data
The repeated-measures interventional compatibility study evaluated 21 adults with diabetes. The participants used their CGM systems concurrently with a Nerivio device during a full 45-minute REN session.
Researchers compared the glucose measurements taken during active Nerivio stimulation against those taken when the stimulation was paused. The study targeted a stringent predefined mean absolute relative difference (MADR) threshold of 5.0%.
The results were highly favorable:
- The median deviation was only 1.6%, well below the prespecified 5.0% benchmark.
- Abbott FreeStyle Libre users demonstrated a median deviation of 1.0%.
- Dexcom users demonstrated a median deviation of 1.7%.
- The study observed no Bluetooth disruptions, co-interference, or missed data transmissions.
- There were no device malfunctions or adverse events reported.
The authors conclude that simultaneous use of Nerivio and CGM systems is safe, feasible, and functionally compatible, helping remove a key barrier to integrating multiple wearable technologies for people managing comorbid migraine and diabetes.
