SYNOPSISSixteen physician‐investigators participated in a double‐blind, randomized clinical study comparing the efficacy of Micrainin (meprobamate‐acetylsalicylic acid) and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) in the treatment of muscle contraction (tension) headache. Each patient treated one episode of moderate‐to‐severe muscle contraction headache and scored the effects for head pain, activity impairment, tension (tense/uptight feeling), muscle stiffness and overall relief using a verbal rating scale (VRS) and a visual analogue (linear) scale (VAS). In general, overall agreement occurred between the two rating scales. Patient and physician global evaluations also concurred and supported the conclusion that Micrainin was significantly more effective than aspirin in relieving the symptom complex of muscle contraction headache. Treatment emergent signs and symptoms occurred infrequently in each treatment group (£4.0%); these were not serious, were of short duration and were without sequelae.