An extensive new study has revealed that a drug-free treatment for painful cluster headaches might just be around the corner, after providing the strongest evidence till date to back the use of "high-flow oxygen treatment for cluster headache".

Researchers of the study have revealed that a whopping 78% of the people who had received oxygen treatment reported that they are totally pain-free or have gained adequate pain-relief within a mere 15 minutes of the treatment. As per the study, while the method is already a part of the accepted guidelines for treatment of this type of pain, its use has been highly limited.

"This work paves the way for further studies to optimize the administration of oxygen and its more widespread use as an acute attack treatment in cluster headache, offering an evidence-based alternative to those who cannot take triptan agents", writes lead researcher Anna S. Cohen, PhD, of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

For the sake of study, 76 adults suffering from cluster headaches were considered, and based on the treatment method offered, the conclusions were drawn. It has been revealed that the condition affects about 0.3% of the total population currently, and is characterized by bouts of immense pain, usually near the eye or temple on one side.

Details of the study have been published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.