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Background: Neck pain is common among individuals with migraine, but there is a lack of information of how this comorbidity can be associated with cervical muscle function. This controlled cross‐sectional study aimed to compare cervical muscle function, activity, and sensitization in women with migraine, neck pain, both, and neither. Methods: This study included women, between 18 and 55 years old, with either episodic migraine with or without aura, without any concomitant headache diagnosis; chronic neck pain, with at least moderate intensity and mild disability; or neither headache nor neck pain. Pain pressure threshold, allodynia, muscle strength, and endurance and cervical muscles activity were evaluated. Results: One hundred subjects, with mean age of 30.4 years old, were stratified by diagnosis (n = 25 per group) and by self‐reported pain during tests. Lower endurance during flexion was observed for migraine and neck pain (34s) relative to neck pain alone (45s), migraine (40s), and controls (58s) (p = 0.04). For extensor endurance, means were 142s, 166s, 215s, and 270s, respectively (p < 0.001). Endurance times were impacted by the presence of test‐induced pain decreasing about 40%–53% of the performance. Diagnostic groups did not differ significantly in strength (p > 0.05), but all pain groups presented significantly higher proportion of test‐induced pain, lower muscle activity during the maximal isometric voluntary contractions, and lower pressure pain thresholds. Conclusion: Patients with migraine, chronic neck pain, and the association of both present altered cervical muscle function and activity. Also, test‐induced pain impacts significantly on neck muscles endurance. Significance: The diagnosis of migraine and chronic neck pain is associated with altered function and activity of the cervical muscles. However, the test‐induced pain had an important contribution to worse cervical muscle endurance. This suggests that the therapeutic approach should focus on de‐sensitization of the trigeminal–cervical complex when dealing with the comorbidity of migraine and cervical pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) seems to play an important role in the development of chronic pain. However, for temporomandibular disorders ( TMD), there is a scarcity of studies about this topic. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia for TMD ( TSK/ TMD) is the most widely used instrument to measure fear of movement and it is not available in Brazilian Portuguese. The purpose of this study was to culturally adapt the TSK/ TMD to Brazilian Portuguese and to assess its psychometric properties regarding internal consistency, reliability, and construct and structural validity. A total of 100 female patients with chronic TMD participated in the validation process of the TSK/ TMD-Br. The intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) was used for statistical analysis of reliability (test-retest), Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency, Spearman's rank correlation for construct validity and confirmatory factor analysis ( CFA) for structural validity. CFA endorsed the pre-specified model with two domains and 12-items (Activity Avoidance - AA/Somatic Focus - SF) and all items obtained a loading factor greater than 0·4. Acceptable levels of reliability were found (ICC > 0·75) for all questions and domains of the TSK/ TMD-Br. For internal consistency, Cronbach's α of 0·78 for both domains were found. Moderate correlations (0·40 < r < 0.60) were observed for 84% of the analyses conducted between TSK/ TMD-Br scores versus catastrophising, depression and jaw functional limitation. TSK/ TMD-Br 12 items and two-factor demonstrated sound psychometric properties (transcultural validity, reliability, internal consistency and structural validity). In such a way, the instrument can be used in clinical settings and for research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate and contrast the occurrence of ictal and interictal cutaneous allodynia (CA) in individuals with migraine with and without temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Both TMD and CA are common in migraine and may be associated with migraine transformation from episodic into a chronic form. Herein we hypothesize that TMD contributes to the development of CA and to more severe headaches. In a clinic-based sample of individuals with episodic migraine, the presence of TMD was assessed using the research diagnostic criteria for myofascial or mixed (myofascial and arthralgic) TMD. Ictal CA was quantified using the validated Allodynia Symptom Checklist (ASC-12). The ASC-12 measures CA over the preceding month by asking 12 questions about the frequency of allodynia symptoms during headaches. Interictal CA was assessed in the domains of heat, cold and mechanical static allodynia using quantitative sensory testing. Our sample consists of 55 individuals; 40 (73%) had TMD (23 with myofascial TMD and 17 with the mixed type). CA of any severity (as assessed by ASC-12) occurred in 40% of those without TMD (reference group), 86.9% of those with myofascial TMD (P¼0.041, RR¼3.2, 95% CI¼1.5–7.0) and in 82.3% of those with mixed TMD (P ¼ 0.02, RR ¼ 2.5, 95% CI¼ 1.2–5.3). Individuals with TMD were more likely to have moderate or severe CA associated with their headaches. Interictally (quantitative sensory testing), thresholds for heat and mechanical nociception were significantly lower in individuals with TMD. Cold nociceptive thresholds were not significantly different in migraine patients with and without TMD. TMDs were also associated with change in extra-cephalic pain thresholds. In logistical regression, TMD remained associated with CA after adjusting for aura, gender and age. TMD and CA are associated in individuals with migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To compare the interobserver agreement between visual and photogrammetry postural assessment and to determine whether the quantitative photogrammetry results correspond to the symmetries and asymmetries detected through qualitative visual postural assessment. METHODS: Twenty-one volunteers (mean age 24±1.9 years) were visually evaluated by three experienced physical therapists, who completed a postural assessment form. The participants' face and whole body were then photographed in the anterior and posterior frontal and sagittal planes. The photographs were used to draw angles from markers fixed to the skin at various anatomical points that are frequent references in traditional postural assessment. These photographs were analyzed by three examiners (other than the ones who performed the visual assessment). The agreement in each postural assessment method was determined using Cramer's V or the Phi coefficient, with the significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: There was agreement between the examiners who used photogrammetry, for all segments analyzed. No agreement was found for the labial commissure (p=0.00), acromioclavicular joint (p=0.01), sternoclavicular joint (p=0.00), anterior and posterior iliac spines (p=0.00 and p=0.01) or inferior angle of the scapula (p=0.00) when assessed visually. The comparison between photogrammetry and visual postural assessment showed that the agreement level between the two assessment methods was poor for some segments of the lower limb and pelvis. CONCLUSIONS: Under these experimental conditions, the photogrammetry data were not correlated with the results from the visual postural assessment. The visual postural assessment produced data that were in less agreement than the photogrammetry data, and its use as a gold standard must be questioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalance and weakness of the serratus anterior and upper trapezius force couple have been described in patients with shoulder dysfunction. There is interest in identifying exercises that selectively activate these muscles and including it in rehabilitation protocols. This study aims to verify the UT/SA electromyographic (EMG) amplitude ratio, performed in different upper limb exercises and on two bases of support. Twelve healthy men were tested (average age = 22.8 +/- 3.1 years), and surface EMG was recorded from the upper trapezius and serratus anterior using single differential surface electrodes. Volunteers performed isometric contractions over a stable base of support and on a Swiss ball during the wall push-up (WP), bench press (BP), and push-up (PU) exercises. All SEMG data are reported as a percentage of root mean square or integral of linear envelope from the maximal value obtained in one of three maximal voluntary contractions for each muscle studied. A linear mixed-effect model was performed to compare UT/SA ratio values. The WP, BP, and PU exercises showed UT/SA ratio mean +/- SD values of 0.69 +/- 0.72, 0.14 +/- 0.12, and 0.39 +/- 0.37 for stable surfaces, respectively, whereas for unstable surfaces, the values were 0.73 +/- 0.67, 0.43 +/- 0.39, and 0.32 +/- 0.30. The results demonstrate that UT/SA ratio was influenced by the exercises and by the upper limb base of support. The practical application is to show that BP on a stable surface is the exercise preferred over WP and PU on either surfaces for serratus anterior muscle training in patients with imbalance between the UT/SA force couple or serratus anterior weakness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the reflex response time (RRT) of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO) and vastus lateralis longus (VLL) muscles in clinically healthy individuals and subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PPS). Methods: Twelve clinically health women and twelve women with PPS were evaluated. Electromyography (EMG) records were obtained using active electrodes connected to an electromyograph that was activated by an external sensor attached to the medial portion of the patella ligament, by means of percussion. The RRT was analyzed by measuring the time, in seconds, between zero and peak electrical response of the VMO, VLO and VLL muscles, for both groups. The statistical analysis consisted of analysis of variance (ANOVA, p< 0.05) and the Tukey post-hoc test (p< 0.05) to compare the response between muscles, and Student's t test (p< 0.05) to compare the response between groups. Results: Both groups presented lower RRT for the VMO muscle than for the VLO and VLL muscles. However, no significant difference was seen between the VLO and VLL muscles. There was no significant difference in RRT between the groups. Conclusions: According to these results, it can be suggested that the RRTs in the different portions of the quadriceps muscle do not distinguish between subjects with PPS and clinically healthy individuals. The RRT for the VMO muscle was lower than the RRT for the VLO and VLL muscles, for both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Study design Controlled laboratory study. Objectives The purposes of this paper were to investigate (d) whether vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis longus (VLL) and vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO) EMG activity can be influenced by hip abduction performed by healthy subjects. Background Some clinicians contraindicate hip abduction for patellofemoral patients (with) based on the premise that hip abduction could facilitate the VLL muscle activation leading to a VLL and VMO imbalance Methods and measures Twenty-one clinically healthy subjects were involved in the study, 10 women and 11 men (aged X = 23.3 ± 2.9). The EMG signals were collected using a computerized EMG VIKING II, with 8 channels and three pairs of surface electrodes. EMG activity was obtained from MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion in a seated position and MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° with patients in side-lying position with the knee in full extension. The data were normalized in the MVIC knee extension at 50° of flexion in a seated position, and were submitted to ANOVA test with subsequent application of the Bonferroni multiple comparisons analysis test. The level of significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05. Results The VLO muscle demonstrated a similar pattern to the VMO muscle showing higher EMG activity in MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion compared with MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° of abduction for male (p < 0.0007) and MVIC hip abduction at 0° of abduction for female subjects (p < 0.02196). There were no statistically significant differences in the VLL EMG activity among the three sets of exercises tested. Conclusion The results showed that no selective EMG activation was observed when comparison was made between the VMO, VLL and VLO muscles while performing MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° of abduction and MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion in both male and female subjects. Our findings demonstrate that hip abduction do not facilitated VLL and VLO activity in relation to the VMO, however, this study included only healthy subjects performing maximum voluntary isometric contraction contractions, therefore much remains to be discovered by future research

BACKGROUND: Cervical range of motion (CROM) is a fundamental component of the functional evaluation in physical therapy interventions. The CROM device stands out as a reliable, non-invasive and easy-to-use method, but it is a very expensive tool. In clinical practice, more affordable tools such as Fleximeters are preferred. However, the reliability of Fleximeters for the cervical spine has not been adequately tested. OBJECTIVES: To compare the Fleximeters and the CROM device for the analysis of CROM, and to investigate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of both tools. METHODS: Cervical movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation) were assessed in 20 asymptomatic young women by three examiners using both tools. The statistical analyses were performed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The agreement between the tools was considered moderate for flexion and left rotation (0.71; 0.58) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.76-0.87). The intra-examiner reliability for the CROM device was moderate for flexion and right rotation (0.70; 0.69) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.79-0.88). For the Fleximeter, the agreement was excellent for inclination and right rotation (0.80; 0.77) and moderate for all of the other movements (0.69-0.75). The inter-examiner reliability for the CROM device was excellent for all movements (0.76-0.93) and for the Fleximeter, it was moderate for right and left rotation (0.66; 0.75) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.81-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: There was agreement between the CROM assessments using the Fleximeter and the CROM device. Furthermore, both devices showed acceptable reliability for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intra and interrater reliability of fleximetry and goniometry in children and correlate the cervical spine range of motion (ROM) values obtained from these methods. METHODS: One hundred six children participated in this study: 49 males (8.91+/-2.09 years) and 57 females (9.14+/-1.46 years). Their ages ranged from six to 14 years and symptom-free to cervical dysfunction. Two previously trained raters and two assistants assessed neck ROM. The measurements were made using fleximetry and goniometry (interrater reliability) and repeated them one week later (intrarater reliability). All measurements were made three times by each rater and the mean value was used for statistical analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 2.1 and 2.2) were used to investigate reliability and Pearson's correlation coefficient (p<0.05) was used to investigate the correlation between measurements obtained from the two techniques. RESULTS: Moderate and excellent levels for intrarater reliability were observed for fleximetry and moderate reliability for goniometry. The interrater reliability was moderate and excellent for fleximetry and poor and moderate for goniometry. Significantly poor correlation was found among all neck ROM measurements obtained using both techniques, except for rotation to the left. CONCLUSIONS: The poor correlation between neck ROM measurements obtained from fleximetry and goniometry demonstrated that these techniques do not present interchangeable measurements. Since fleximetry presented higher reliability levels for assessments of neck ROM among children, the use of fleximetry rather than goniometry is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migraine may be accompanied by several cervical musculoskeletal dysfunctions, for example an altered performance on the Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT). However, CCFT measurement properties are still unclear in patients with migraine., Objectives: To determine intra- and inter-examiner reliability, construct validity, standard measurement error (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the CCFT in patients with migraine., Methods: Women diagnosed with migraine were considered eligible for this study. Participants were assessed by two examiners for the inter-examiner reliability, and with 7-10 days interval for the intra-examiner reliability. Construct validity was assessed considering headache and neck pain frequency and intensity, and self-reported questionnaires, including the Headache Impact Test - 6 items (HIT-6), the 12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist/Brazil (ASC-12), and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). In addition, participants performed cervical endurance and maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the cervical flexors., Results: A total of 103 women with migraine were recruited. The intra-examiner reliability was rated as good (ICC= 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.87), while the inter-examiner reliability was rated as moderate (ICC= 0.55, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.67). The intra and inter-examiner SEM were 1.31 and 1.36 mmHg respectively, and MDC were 3.63 and 3.77 mmHg. The HIT-6 and the cervical endurance flexion test were associated with the CCFT in a multiple linear regression model (p = 0.004, R = 0.35)., Conclusion: The CCFT presents adequate intra- and inter-examiner reliability. Better performance on the CCFT test was associated with better HIT-6 scores and greater cervical endurance time, which was not influenced by the presence of neck pain., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Fisioterapia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) is one of the most frequently employed instruments for assessing maladaptive beliefs about pain, injury, and movement in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the measurement properties of this tool have so far not been tested for individuals with migraine., Objective: To evaluate the structural, construct, and criterion validity, and the internal consistency for three versions (TSK-11, TSK-13, and TSK-17) of the TSK for patients with migraine., Methods: A total of 113 individuals aged between 18 and 55 years old with migraine diagnosis were included. All participants completed the TSK with 17 items, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, the Headache Impact Test, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the structural validity of the TSK, and Cronbach's α was used to assess internal consistency. For construct and criterion validity, the Spearman's correlation was calculated., Results: The TSK structure with one factor and the 17, 13, or 11 items versions were suitable, with suitable values in all fit indices related to structural validity. The three versions showed acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.75). All TSK versions showed moderate positive correlation with the other questionnaires (rho range= 0.31-0.63), confirming most of the predefined hypothesis for the construct validity. Also, the criterion validity of the 13-item and 11-item versions was confirmed (rho=0.95 and rho=0.94, respectively)., Conclusion: All versions of the TSK demonstrated good measurement properties in the assessment of maladaptive beliefs about pain, injury, and movement in individuals with migraine., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Fisioterapia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The goal of this study was to reach consensus about the best exercise prescription parameters, the most relevant considerations, and other recommendations that could be useful for prescribing exercise to patients with migraine., Methods: This was an international study conducted between April 9, 2022 and June 30, 2022. An expert panel of health care and exercise professionals was assembled, and a 3-round Delphi survey was performed. Consensus was reached for each item if an Aiken V Validity Index ≥ 0.7 was obtained., Results: The study included 14 experts who reached consensus on 42 items by the third round. The most approved prescription parameters were 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per session, 3 days per week of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise, and relaxation and breathing exercises for 5 to 20 minutes every day. When considering an exercise prescription, initial exercise supervision should progress to patient self-regulation; catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, headache-related disability, anxiety, depression, physical activity baseline level, and self-efficacy could influence the patients' exercise participation and efficacy; and gradual exposure to exercise could help improve these psychological variables and increase exercise efficacy. Yoga and concurrent exercise were also included as recommended interventions., Conclusion: From the experts in the study, exercise prescriptions should be adapted to patients with migraine considering different exercise modalities, such as moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, relaxation, yoga, and concurrent exercise, based on the patients' preferences and psychological considerations, level of physical activity, and possible adverse effects., Impact: The consensus reached by the experts can help prescribe exercise accurately to patients with migraine. Offering various exercise modalities can improve exercise participation in this population. The evaluation of the patients' psychological and physical status can also facilitate the adaptation of the exercise prescription to their abilities and diminish the risk of adverse events., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Physical Therapy Association. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Knowledge of reference values for cervical muscle strength is a key tool for clinicians to use as a clinical reference measure and to establish goals during rehabilitation. The objective was to establish reference values for the maximal strength of cervical muscles in healthy women using a handheld dynamometer and verify the association of cervical muscle strength with age and anthropometric measurements. A hundred women were classified into four groups ( n = 25) according to age: 18-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50-60 years. Maximal muscle strength of the cervical spine was measured using a Lafayette ® handheld dynamometer for flexion, extension, and bilateral lateral flexion. No differences in cervical muscle strength were observed among the groups ( p > 0.05). However, the 18-29-year-old group took less time to reach the peak of force for flexion than the 50-60-year-old group. Moderate correlations were observed between cervical flexor strength and weight, body mass index, and neck circumference, and between cervical extensor strength and weight and body mass index (r = 0.43-0.55; p < 0.05). Reference values for cervical muscle strength in healthy women were established using a handheld dynamometer, and the association between muscle strength and anthropometric data was moderate.

Introduction: Migraine is a neurological and disabling disease whose peripheral manifestations can be addressed with physiotherapy. These manifestations can include pain and hypersensitivity to muscular and articular palpation in the neck and face region, a higher prevalence of myofascial trigger points, limitation in global cervical motion, especially in the upper segment (C1-C2), and forward head posture with worse muscular performance. Furthermore, patients with migraine can present cervical muscle weakness and greater co-activation of antagonists in maximum and submaximal tasks. In addition to musculoskeletal repercussions, these patients can also present balance impairment and a greater risk of falls, especially when chronicity of migraine frequency is present. The physiotherapist is a relevant player in the interdisciplinary team and can help these patients to control and manage their migraine attacks., Purpose: This position paper discusses the most relevant musculoskeletal repercussions of migraine in the craniocervical area under the perspective of sensitization and disease chronification, besides addressing physiotherapy as an important strategy for evaluating and treating these patients., Implications: Physiotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment option in migraine treatment may potentially reduce musculoskeletal impairments related to neck pain in this population. Disseminating knowledge about the different types of headaches and the diagnostic criteria can support physiotherapists who compose a specialized interdisciplinary team. Furthermore, it is important to acquire competencies in neck pain assessment and treatment approaches according to the current evidence., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Migraine is associated with motion sensitivity symptoms such as kinetosis, vestibular symptoms and balance alterations. While focus is given to headache management, addressing these symptoms is often neglected, although they are related to additional migraine burden and increased disability., Purpose: Our aim is to disseminate the current understanding of the motion sensitivity symptoms among patients with migraine, with focus on balance impairments. We discuss the susceptibility of migraine to motion sensitivity, its suggested mechanisms, the balance alterations during quiet standing, mobility tasks and reactions to external perturbations. The role of migraine subdiagnosis, implications for clinical practice and future perspectives are also acknowledged., Implications: Balance disorders are one of the signs reflecting a broader and complex spectrum of motion sensitivity, which are present even between attacks. Migraineurs are especially inherent to these symptoms probably due to brain hyperexcitability and to shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Patients, especially with aura and chronic migraine, exhibit balance instability during quiet standing under different surface and visual input conditions. Migraineurs demonstrated reduced limits of stability and lower performance on walk, transposing obstacles and sit to stand tasks. Only patients with aura present impairment of motor control reactions following external perturbations. Balance alterations are associated with falls and are influenced by aura, migraine frequency and psychosocial aspects, but not by vestibular symptoms or vestibular migraine diagnosis. There is a high demand for high quality of evidence regarding the assessment and care of motion sensitivity symptoms in migraineurs, considering approaches to manage not just the pain, but its associated symptoms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Migraine patients may present with both cervical and balance dysfunctions. The neck plays an important role in balance by providing substantial proprioceptive input, which is integrated in the central nervous system and influences the balance control systems. Whether balance and neck dysfunctions are associated in patients with migraine is still to be explored., Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association between the sensory organization test of balance with neck pain features, cervical strength, endurance, and range of motion in patients with migraine., Methods: Sixty-five patients with migraine underwent the sensory organization test assessed with the Equitest-Neurocom® device. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction, cervical flexion and extension range of motion, and cervical flexor and extensor endurance were assessed. In addition, the features of migraine and neck pain were collected. Patients were dichotomized according to cut-off scores of balance performance and the association between outcomes were explored., Results: Patients with reduced balance performance presented a higher frequency of migraine (p = 0.035), a higher frequency of aura (p = 0.002), greater neck pain intensity (p = 0.013), and decreased endurance of cervical flexors (p = 0.010) and extensors (p < 0.0001). The total balance score was correlated with age (r = -0.33; p = 0.007), migraine frequency (r = -0.29; p = 0.021), neck pain intensity (r = -0.26; p = 0.038), and endurance of the cervical flexors (r = 0.39; p = 0.001) and extensors (r = 0.36; p = 0.001). Migraine frequency, neck pain intensity, and endurance of the cervical flexors can predict 21% of the sensory organization test variability., Conclusion: Neck pain features and endurance of the cervical muscles are related to reduced balance performance in patients with migraine. These results shed light to a better understanding of balance alterations in migraine patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Migraine has been associated with balance dysfunction, more pronounced in patients with aura and chronic migraine. Also, it has been suggested that balance deficits are progressive through the migraineurs lifetime., Objective: To analyze the one-year progression of balance parameters and clinical parameters associated with balance in female patients with and without migraine., Design: Prospective cohort study., Methods: The participants were distributed in four groups: control (CG; n = 27) migraine with aura (MA; n = 25), migraine without aura (MwA; n = 26), and chronic migraine (CM; n = 27). They performed the Sensory Organization Test, Motor Control Test and Adaptation Test protocols of dynamic posturography tests. Questionnaires about fear of falls, dizziness disability, and kinesiophobia were administered. These assessments were performed twice: baseline and after 1-year (follow-up). No intervention was performed for balance improvement, and the participants maintained their usual migraine treatment prescribed., Results: None of the groups differed in balance tests between baseline and follow-up. We observed a reduction in migraine frequency in MA (-2.2 days, p = 0.01) and CM (-10.8 days, p < 0.001) groups, and in the migraine intensity (-2.3 points, p = 0.001) in CM group. Significant decreases in the scores of fear of falling, dizziness disability, and kinesiophobia were observed in the migraine groups (p < 0.05), but the differences did not exceed the minimal detectable change of the questionaries scores., Conclusion: Women with different migraine subtypes did not present balance changes in a one-year interval. The improvements in migraine's clinical features were not accompanied by improvements in balance parameters., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Although patients with migraine show cervical muscle impairments previous studies investigating motor performance have not characterized the sample of patients with migraine according to the presence/absence of neck pain complaints., Objective: To verify if there are differences in the clinical and muscular performance of the superficial neck flexors and extensors during Craniocervical Flexion Test in women with migraine, considering the presence or absence of concomitant symptoms of neck pain., Methods: The cranio-cervical flexion test performance was assessed by its clinical stage test and by the surface electromyographic activity of the sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene muscles upper trapezius and splenius capitis. It was assessed in 25 women with migraine without neck pain, 25 women with migraine and neck pain, 25 women with chronic neck pain and 25 pain-free control women., Results: Poorer performance of the cervical muscles was found during the execution of the cranio-cervical flexion test, in addition to higher muscle activity, especially in the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, and upper trapezius muscles in the neck pain, migraine without neck pain, and migraine with neck pain groups in comparison with the results obtained for healthy women in the control group. No difference was observed between the groups of women experiencing pain. Analysis of the extensor/flexor muscle electromyographic ratio showed that there was no difference between the groups., Conclusion: Poor cervical muscle performance was observed in both women with chronic nonspecific neck pain and women with migraine regardless of the presence of neck pain., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Repeated migraine attacks and aura could independently cause structural changes in the central nervous system. Our research aims to study the correlation of migraine type, attack frequency, and other clinical variables with the presence, volume and localization of white matter lesions (WML), in a controlled study., Methods: Sixty volunteers from a tertiary headache center were selected and divided equally into four groups: episodic migraine without aura (MoA), episodic migraine with aura (MA), chronic migraine (CM) and controls (CG). Voxel-based morphometry techniques were used to analyze WML., Results: There were no differences in WML variables between groups. There was a positive correlation between age and the number and total volume of WMLs, which persisted in the comparison categorized by size and brain lobe. Disease duration was positively correlated with the number and total volume of WML, and when controlled by age, the correlation maintained significance only for the insular lobe. Aura frequency was associated with frontal and temporal lobe WMLs. There was no statistically significant correlation between WML and other clinical variables., Conclusion: Migraine overall is not a risk factor for WML. Aura frequency is, however, associated with temporal WML. Disease duration, in adjusted analyses that account for age, is associated with insular WML.

Autonomic dysfunction, such as reduced vagally mediated heart rate variability, has been suggested in headache patients but is still uncertain when considering primary headache disorders. This study aims to compare the heart rate and blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity between women with migraine and controls. A migraine (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20) of age-matched women without headache were evaluated. Heart rate variability was analyzed through frequency-domain using spectral analysis presenting variance, low-frequency (LF; 0.04-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF; 0.15-0.4 Hz) bands and by time domain (root mean square of successive R-R interval differences, RMSSD). Blood pressure variability was analyzed with spectral analysis and baroreflex sensitivity with the sequence method. Migraine group had lower heart rate variability characterized by a reduction in total variance, LF oscillations (sympathetic/vagal modulation) and HF oscillations (vagal modulation), and a reduction in SD and RMSSD compared to control group. No difference was found in the blood pressure variability analysis. Regarding baroreflex sensitivity, migraine group had decreased values of total gain, gain down and up compared to control group. Women with migraine exhibited autonomic modulation alterations, expressed by decreased values of heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity, but not by differences in blood pressure variability.

Introduction: Kinesiophobia is a common symptom associated with high disability, and has been observed in patients with migraine. However, the association between kinesiophobia and clinical factors in this population is unknown., Objective: To assess the fear of falling, dizziness disability, and migraine disability in patients with migraine, considering the presence of kinesiophobia., Methods: Eighty patients with migraine completed the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and were divided into two groups according to the questionnaire cutoff point: migraine without kinesiophobia (MoK, n = 39) and migraine with kinesiophobia (MK, n = 41). Fear of falling, dizziness disability, and migraine disability were assessed in both groups using validated questionnaires., Results: The MK group presented higher scores on dizziness disability, fear of falling, and migraine disability compared to the MoK ( p < .05). Kinesiophobia can explain 29% of the variance in dizziness disability and 18% of migraine disability. Both kinesiophobia and the presence of dizziness can explain 14% of fear of falling variability. Also, kinesiophobia is associated with the risk of presenting fear of falling (Prevalence Ratio = 2.4, p = .012), and migraine disability (Prevalence Ratio = 2.6, p = .01)., Conclusion: The presence of kinesiophobia should be considered in clinical practice when evaluating migraine, as it is associated with increased levels of fear of falling, dizziness disability, and migraine disability.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation, concurrent validity, and agreement between the isometric cervical force measurements obtained with fixed and portable dynamometers in asymptomatic individuals., Methods: Fifty asymptomatic individuals performed 3 maximal isometric contractions for flexion, extension, and lateral flexion of the cervical spine using fixed and portable dynamometers. The correlation and concurrent validity for the measurements of the portable and fixed dynamometers were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. The agreement between the force values of the portable and fixed dynamometers was measured using the Bland-Altman method., Results: Isometric cervical force measurements obtained with the fixed dynamometer and portable dynamometer showed a moderately to highly significant correlation for flexion (r s  = 0.74), extension (r s  = 0.82), right lateral flexion (r s  = 0.74), and left lateral flexion (r s  = 0.68). The concurrent validity was moderate to good for all measurements (ICC 2,3  = 0.67-0.80). The fixed and portable dynamometers did not agree, with a significant mean difference between the methods of 2.8 kgf (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-3.4 kgf) for cervical flexion, 5.3 kgf (95% CI, 4.2-6.4 kgf) for extension, and 9.1 kgf (95% CI, 0.4-2.1 kgf) for left lateral flexion. The limits of agreement were broad for all movements, with errors that varied between 61% and 77% of the mean force obtained with the fixed dynamometer., Conclusion: The neck strength measurements obtained with the fixed and portable dynamometers demonstrated high to moderate correlation and had moderate to good comparability for asymptomatic participants. However, they did not agree in that the 2 methods did not provide equivalent measurements, and, therefore, based on these findings, the same equipment should always be used when reassessing an individual., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe and compare kinetic and kinematic variables of the knee joint during stair descent, single-leg step down, and single-leg squat tasks. It also aimed to investigate potential sex difference during the tasks. Thirty young asymptomatic individuals (15 males, 15 females) were assessed during the performance of single-leg weight-bearing tasks. The kinetic and kinematic data from the knee were evaluated at the peak knee moment and at peak knee flexion. Single-leg squat presented a higher peak knee moment (2.37 Nm/kg) and the greatest knee moment (1.91 Nm/kg) at knee peak angle in the frontal plane, but the lowest knee flexion (67°) than the other two tasks (p < 0.05). Additionally, the single-leg step down task presented a higher varus knee angle (5.70°) when compared to stair descent (3.71°) (p < 0.001). No substantial sex difference could be observed. In conclusion, in asymptomatic young individuals, single-leg squats presented the greatest demand in the frontal and sagittal planes. Single-leg step down demanded a greater angular displacement than stair descent in the frontal plane. We did not identify a significant difference among the sex and studied variables.

Objective: To assess the balance sensory organization among patients with migraine, considering the influence of migraine subdiagnosis, otoneurological function, falls, and psychosocial factors., Background: Migraine has been associated with vestibular symptoms and balance dysfunction; however, neither comprehensive balance assessment nor associated factors for greater impairment have been addressed thus far., Methods: Patients from a tertiary headache clinic with a diagnosis of episodic migraine with aura (MWA), without aura (MWoA), and chronic migraine (CM) were included for this cross-sectional study (30 patients per group). Thirty headache-free controls (CG) were recruited. Participants underwent a comprehensive evaluation protocol, including the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and otoneurological examination. Questionnaires about fear of falls, dizziness disability, and kinesiophobia were administered., Results: All migraine groups presented lower composite SOT scores than controls (CG: 82.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 79.5-85.3], MWoA: 76.5 [95% CI: 73.6-79.3], MWA: 66.5 [95% CI: 63.6-69.3], CM: 69.1 [95% CI: 66.3-72.0]; p < 0.0001). Compared to controls and to MWoA, MWA and CM groups exhibited greater vestibular (CG: 75.9 [95% CI: 71.3-80.4], MWoA: 67.3 [95% CI: 62.7-71.8], MWA: 55.7 [95% CI: 51.2-60.3], CM: 58.4 [95% CI: 53.8-63.0]; p < 0.0001) and visual functional impairment (CG: 89.6 [95% CI: 84.2-94.9], MWoA: 83.2 [95% CI: 77.9-88.6], MWA: 68.6 [95% CI: 63.3-74.0], CM: 71.9 [95% CI: 66.5-77.2], p < 0.0001). Fall events during the assessment were documented more often among patients with migraine (CG: 0.0, interquartile range [IQR], 0.0, 0.0); MWoA: 1.0 [IQR: 1.0, 1.0], MWA: 2.0 [IQR: 1.8, 4.3], CM: 1.0 [IQR: 1.0, 2.0]; p = 0.001). The SOT scores correlated with fear of falls (r = -0.44), dizziness disability (r = -0.37), kinesiophobia (r = -0.38), and migraine frequency (r = -0.38). There was no significant influence of the vestibular migraine diagnosis in the study outcomes when used as a covariate in the analysis (composite score [F = 3.33, p = 0.070], visual score [F = 2.11, p = 0.149], vestibular score [F = 1.88, p = 0.172], somatosensory score [F = 0.00, p = 0.993])., Conclusions: Aura and greater migraine frequency were related to falls and balance impairment with sensory input manipulation, although no otoneurological alterations were detected. The diagnosis of vestibular migraine does not influence the balance performance. The vestibular/visual systems should be considered in the clinical examination and treatment of patients with migraine., (© 2022 The Authors. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Headache Society.)

Background: Migraine patients have musculoskeletal disorders and pain in the cervical. And, despite the pathophysiology demonstrating the relationship between migraine and the cervical spine, the effectiveness of craniocervical exercises in these patients has not been verified. So, the aimed of this study was verify the effectiveness of craniocervical muscle-strengthening exercise (CMSE) in reducing the frequency and intensity of headache in migraine patients.  METHODS: A two-armed, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up was performed. For eight weeks, the volunteers in the intervention group (n = 21) performed a protocol of CMSE, while those in the sham ultrasound group (n = 21) received the application of disconnected therapeutic ultrasound in the upper trapezius and guideline for home-stretching. The primary outcomes were the frequency and intensity of the headache. The secondary outcomes were questionnaires about migraine and neck disability, and satisfaction with the treatment, cervical range of motion, the pressure pain threshold, craniocervical flexion test (CCFT), cervical muscle strength and endurance test, and the cervical muscle activity during the physical tests., Results: No differences were observed for the changes observed in primary outcomes after eight weeks and at the 3-months follow up (p > 0.05). For the secondary outcomes, craniocervical exercises improved the sensitivity of the frontal muscle (p = 0.040) and promoted a reduced amplitude of muscle activity of the anterior scalene and upper trapezius in the last stages of CCFT (p ≤ 0.010). There was also reduced muscle activity of the anterior scalene and splenius capitis in the endurance test (p ≤ 0.045), as evaluated by surface electromyography., Conclusion: CMSE were insufficient in reducing the frequency and intensity of headache, improving the performance of the cervical muscles, or reducing migraine and neck pain-related disabilities. This was found despite a decreased electromyographic activity of the cervical muscles during the last stages of CCFT and increased median frequency during the endurance test., Trial Registration: Accession code RBR-8gfv5j , registered 28/11/2016 in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC)., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the waveform morphology through noninvasive intracranial pressure (ICP-NI) measurement between patients with migraine and controls, and to analyze the association with clinical variables. Twenty-nine women with migraine, age 32.4 (11.2) years and headache frequency of 12.6 (7.5) days per month and twenty-nine women without headache, age 32.1 (9.0) years, were evaluated. Pain intensity, migraine disability, allodynia, pain catastrophizing, central sensitization and depression were evaluated. The ICP-NI monitoring was performed by a valid method consisting of an extracranial deformation sensor positioned in the patients' scalp, which allowed registration of intracranial pressure waveforms. Heart rate and blood pressure measurements were simultaneously recorded during 20 min in the supine position. The analyzed parameter was the P2/P1 ratio based on mean pulse per minute which P1 represents the percussion wave related to the arterial blood pression maximum and P2 the tidal wave, middle point between the P1 maximum and the dicrotic notch. There was no between-groups difference in the P2/P1 ratio (mean difference: 0.04, IC95%: -0.07 to 0.16, p = 0.352, F (1,1) = 0.881) adjusted by body mass index covariable. The Multiple Linear Regression showed non-statistical significance [F (5,44) = 1.104; p = 0.372; R 2  = 0.11)] between the P2/P1 ratio and body mass index, presence of migraine, central sensitization, pain catastrophizing and depression. We found no correlation (p > 0.05) between P2/P1 ratio and migraine frequency, migraine onset, pain intensity, pain intensity at day of examination, disability, allodynia. Migraine patients did not present alterations in the waveform morphology through ICP-NI compared to women without headache and no association with clinical variables was found., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Under a typical light and sound environment context, individuals with migraine showed balance control deficits on a series of functional activities, which helps to explain why migraineurs report more falls. it isn't established, the effects of intensity light and sound in migraineurs during functional tasks., Research Question: Based on the hypersensitivity to light and sound in migraineurs, not only during the attack but also in the interictal period, does the exposure to bright light and loud sound impact motor control in this population?, Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 51 women with migraine and 22 healthy women. They performed three walking tasks: crossing an obstacle, stepping-up and stepping-down a curb, in a control situation with ambient lighting (≅350 lux), bright light (≅1200 lux), and loud sound (≅90 dBa). For statistical analysis, a t-test, a Spearman correlation test, and a repeated measures mixed ANOVA were applied., Results: Migraineurs presented higher discomfort induced by light (p ≤ 0.0001) and sound (p = 0.001). In the obstacle task, migraineurs had greater step width than controls in the ambient light condition (p = 0.038) and participants of both groups placed their leading foot farther away from the obstacle in the light (p = 0.033) than in the ambient light condition. For the step-up task, this distance increased for both groups and limbs in the light (leading limb: p = 0.015; trailing limb: p = 0.002) and sound (leading limb: p = 0.010; trailing limb: p ≤ 0.0001) conditions compared to the ambient light condition. Step speed increased for light and sound conditions compared to ambient light condition, except for the sound condition in the step-down task., Significance: Despite the higher discomfort induced by light and sound in the migraineurs, the effects of these sensory manipulations were similar for both migraineurs and controls, except for step width. Light and sound manipulation induced a less conservative strategy to deal with uneven terrain in both groups., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)