Comparison of cervical muscle isometric force between migraine subgroups or migraine-associated neck pain: a controlled study

Author(s)

Florencio, Lidiane Lima ^{[1, 2]} ; de Oliveira, Anamaria Siriani ^[1] ; Pinheiro, Carina Ferreira ^[1] ; Will-Lemos, Tenysson ^[1] ; Dach, Fabiola ^[3] ; Fernandez-de-las-Penas, Cesar ^[2] ; Bevilaqua-Grossi, Debora ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Hlth Sci, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Rey Juan Carlos, Dept Phys Therapy Occupat Therapy Rehabil & Phys, Madri 28922 - Spain

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Neurosci & Behav Sci, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 11, n. 1 JUL 29 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/18031-5 - Association study of clinical, functional and neuroimaging in women with migraine
• Grantee: Débora Bevilaqua Grossi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/07410-0 - Maximum strength and electromyographic activity evaluation of the cervical muscle in Migraine and Chronic Migraine: a control study
• Grantee: Lidiane Lima Florencio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/23832-5 - Evaluation of the maximum strength and electromyographic activity of cervical musculature in patients with migraine and chronic migraine: controlled study
• Grantee: Carina Ferreira Pinheiro de Araújo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral