A study published in The Lancet has found that a hand-held gadget, about the size and weight of a hair-drier could bring migraine relief to sufferers at the push of a button.

Developed by Californian firm Neuralieve, the gadget delivers a magnetic stimulus to the back of the head and interrupts the pain and other symptoms associated with migraine, by calming the over-excited brain cells causing the attack.

Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New Yorks tested the safety and efficacy of the device on 200 male and female migraine sufferers. Half used the actual device, and the other half (placebo group) used dummy equipment. Everyone was instructed to use the device as soon as symptoms started and take note of how long it was before they experienced relief.

40% of the sufferers with the real device were pain-free within two hours compared to 22% of those in the placebo group. There were no serious side effects, and participants found the device easy to use.

Before the device is available to the general public more research is required to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

The expected cost will be about £1,000.