The Association of Cutaneous Allodynia and Impaired Balance with Tension Headache in Young Females with Modern Aesthetic Headscarves Usage

Abstract

Background: The burgeoning trend of wearing modern aesthetic headscarves has become a cultural mainstay among young females, warranting an examination into its potential health outcomes. This study focuses on the occurrence of tension-type headaches (TTH), a common ailment in this population, and investigates the potential exacerbation of symptoms such as cutaneous allodynia (CA) and balance impairments due to headscarf usage. Existing research has only minimally explored these connections. Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the association between the use of modern aesthetic headscarves and the prevalence of CA and balance disturbances in young females diagnosed with TTH. Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 260 young females from four academic institutions, all of whom fulfilled the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria for TTH. Data were manually collected and involved the administration of the Allodynia Symptom Checklist-12 (ASC-12) to assess CA and the Romberg test for balance evaluation. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS to establish the relationship between headscarf usage, CA, and balance dysfunction. Results: The investigation discovered that 202 out of the 260 subjects (77.7%) experienced CA with varying degrees of severity: mild (30.8%, n=80), moderate (34.6%, n=90), and severe (12.3%, n=32). Balance impairments were detected in 40% of the participants (n=104). A significant correlation (p<0.01) was observed between the intensity of CA and the degree of balance dysfunction, as analysed by SPSS. Conclusion: The research highlighted a noteworthy link between the use of modern aesthetic headscarves and an increased incidence of CA and balance disturbances in young females with TTH. The data advocates for a heightened awareness and proactive approach to mitigate the potential negative health impacts related to the fashion choice of headscarf wear.