4.4 Article

Psychophysical testing in chronic migraine and chronic tension type headache: An observational study

Journal

CEPHALALGIA
Volume 42, Issue 7, Pages 618-630

Publisher

SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/03331024211060315

Keywords

Migraine; tension type headache; central sensitization; pain; physical examination

Funding

  1. START program of Polish Foundation for Science

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The study compared psychophysical aspects of patients with chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, and headache-free controls, finding that neck disability was a significant predictor of headache frequency for both chronic tension-type headache and chronic migraine.
Background Clinical presentation is the key to the diagnosis of patients with migraine and tension-type headache, but features may overlap when both become chronic. Psychophysical parameters may distinguish both conditions. We aimed to compare psychophysical aspects of patients with chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache and headache-free controls, and to determine whether these can predict headache frequency. Methods An examiner blinded to the diagnosis assessed 100 participants (chronic migraine (n = 38), chronic tension-type headache (n = 31) and controls (n = 31)). Assessed variables included painful area, pressure pain thresholds, temporal summation, cervical range of motion, neck posture, headache and neck impact, quality of life, and kinesiophobia. Comparison between groups was performed with one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression was used to assess the headache frequency predictors. Results We found differences of both headache groups compared to controls (p < 0.01), but not between headache groups. Neck disability was a significant predictor of headache frequency for chronic tension-type headache (adjusted R-2 = 0.14; beta = 0.43; p = 0.03) and chronic migraine (adjusted R-2 = 0.18; beta = 0.51; p < 0.01). Conclusions Chronic tension-type headache and chronic migraine showed similar psychophysical results, but were significantly worse when compared to controls. The psychophysical examination did not discriminate between headache types. The variable best explaining headache frequency for both headache types was neck disability.

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