Patients with chronic migraine present persistent functional disorders in the interictal phase: observational case-control study

Objective: To investigate the presence of functional deficits in people with chronic migraine during the interictal phase, focusing on cervical range of movement, intensity of pain during movement, cervical disability and physical activity levels. Method: Observational case-control study carried out with patients with chronic migraine and healthy individuals between January 2019 and March 2020, aged between 18 and 55 years. Cervical range of movement (inclinometer), intensity of pain during movement (Numerical Pain Scale), cervical disability (Cervical Disability Index) and level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were measured. Results: 32 patients with chronic migraine and 32 healthy controls were included. The group with chronic migraine had a lower range of motion in all cervical movements (p<0.05), except right cervical rotation (p= 0.054), as well as greater pain intensity during extension (p=0.012) and right rotation (p= 0.015). Cervical disability was significantly higher in the migraine group when compared to the control group (p<0.001). The level of physical activity was similar between the groups (p= 0.839). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that individuals with chronic migraine in the interictal phase present several functional deficits compared to healthy individuals. Specifically, we observed a significant reduction in cervical range of motion, a greater intensity of pain with cervical movement in some cases, and cervical disability ranging from mild to moderate. However, there was no significant difference in physical activity levels between the groups.