Abstract
This study aimed to verify if migraine frequency or migraine-associated neck pain were associated with a reduction of normalized force and altered electromyographic activity during maximal cervical muscle isometric contractions. Additionally, it aimed to assess the correlation of normalized isometric force with years with migraine, headache frequency, headache intensity, migraine-related disability, and severity of cutaneous allodynia. The sample comprises 71 women with migraine (40/31 episodic/chronic, 42/18 with/without neck pain) and 32 women without headache. Cervical muscle isometric force in flexion, extension, and lateral flexion was assessed synchronized with the acquisition of superficial electromyography from the cervical muscles. Women with episodic migraine presented lower normalized isometric force in extension, flexion, and right and left lateral flexions than controls (P < 0.05). Women with migraine and neck pain exhibited lower cervical extension and right/left lateral-flexions normalized isometric force than controls (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in antagonist activity. Normalized isometric force in all directions showed weak to moderate correlations with the severity of self-reported symptoms of cutaneous allodynia (− 0.25 ≥ r ≥ − 0.39). No additional linear correlation with clinical migraine features was observed. In conclusion, cervical muscle weakness may be associated with episodic migraine and neck pain concurrent with migraine attacks without altered antagonist activity. Additionally, it may also be related to the severity of cutaneous allodynia.
Highlights
This study aimed to verify if migraine frequency or migraine-associated neck pain were associated with a reduction of normalized force and altered electromyographic activity during maximal cervical muscle isometric contractions
It is recognized that neck pain is highly prevalent in individuals with migraine[9,10,11,12,13] and is associated with a more severe migraine-related disability, a worse prognosis to pharmacological treatment, and a higher frequency of attacks[5,14,15,16,17]
For the second objective based on the grouping approach considering the presence of neck pain, they had to present no history of neck pain symptoms the previous year
Summary
This study aimed to verify if migraine frequency or migraine-associated neck pain were associated with a reduction of normalized force and altered electromyographic activity during maximal cervical muscle isometric contractions. It aimed to assess the correlation of normalized isometric force with years with migraine, headache frequency, headache intensity, migraine-related disability, and severity of cutaneous allodynia. Women with migraine and neck pain exhibited lower cervical extension and right/left lateral-flexions normalized isometric force than controls (P < 0.05). Cervical muscle weakness may be associated with episodic migraine and neck pain concurrent with migraine attacks without altered antagonist activity. Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049‐900, Brazil. *email: Scientific Reports | (2021) 11:15434
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
