Children and adolescents with primary headaches exhibit altered sensory profiles - a multi-modal investigation.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric headache is an increasing medical problem that has adverse effects on children's quality of life, academic performance, and social functioning. Children with primary headaches exhibit enhanced sensory sensitivity compared to their healthy peers. However, comprehensive investigations including multimodal sensory sensitivity assessment are lacking. This study aimed to compare sensory sensitivity of children with primary headaches with their healthy peers across multiple sensory domains. METHODS: The study included 172 participants aged 6 to 17 years (M = 13.09, SD = 3.02 years; 120 girls). Of these 80 participants were patients with migraine, 23 were patients with tension-type headache, and 69 were healthy controls. The following sensory measures were obtained: Mechanical Detection Threshold (MDT), Mechanical Pain Threshold (MPT), Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS), detection and pain threshold for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), olfactory and intranasal trigeminal detection threshold, and odor identification ability. Sensory sensitivity was compared between groups with a series of Kruskal-Wallis tests. Binomial regression models were used to compare the relative utility of sensory sensitivity measures in classifying participants into patients and healthy controls, as well as into patients with migraine and tension-type headache. RESULTS: Patients with migraine had lower MPT measured at the forearm than patients with tension-type headaches and healthy controls. MPS was higher in patients with migraine than in healthy controls. All patients with headaches had lower detection threshold of TENS and higher olfactory sensitivity. Healthy controls showed increased intranasal trigeminal sensitivity. Scores in MPS, TENS, and olfactory and trigeminal thresholds were significantly predicting presence of primary headaches. Additionally, scores in MPT, olfactory and trigeminal threshold were positive predictors of type of headache. CONCLUSIONS: Children with primary headaches exhibit different sensory profiles than healthy controls. The obtained results suggest presence of increased overall, multimodal sensitivity in children with primary headaches, what may negatively impact daily functioning and contribute to further pain chronification. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the German Registry of Clinical Trials (DRKS) DRKS00021062.

A Case of Headache Treated by Online Telemedicine in Collaboration With a Midwifery Home.

Midwifery centers are places where midwives not only provide antenatal checkups and delivery care but also offer a wide range of health guidance to pregnant women, postpartum mothers, newborns, and older women. In recent years, midwives have also provided onsite and online health guidance. However, diagnosis and prescribing medication are impossible in midwifery centers because no doctor is present. If the midwife determines that the patient should consult doctors, the patient may have to go to a hospital and see doctors in person, which can be burdensome. Online telemedicine facilitates midwife-doctor collaboration and may solve this problem. We report a case of headache management by telemedicine that minimized the patient's travel burden by collaborating with a midwifery center that provides onsite, visiting, and online health guidance for patients who have difficulty visiting a hospital due to postpartum period, childcare, and breastfeeding. A 29-year-old woman and her husband were raising an infant in Sado City (a remote island across the sea), Niigata Prefecture. She developed acute back pain and was bedridden for several days due to immobility. She consulted a midwife because of stress and anxiety caused by childcare and acute back pain, as well as newly occurring headaches. The midwife visited her and provided on-site health guidance. The midwife decided that a doctor's diagnosis and treatment with painkillers were desirable for the headache and back pain, so she contacted a doctor based on the patient's request. The doctor provided online telemedicine across the sea, diagnosed her headache as a tension-type headache, and prescribed acetaminophen 500 mg as an abortive prescription. The prescription was faxed to a pharmacy on the island, and the original was sent by post. The midwife picked up the medication and delivered it to the patient. After taking the medication, the patient's back pain and headache went into remission. Collaboration between midwifery centers that provide onsite, visiting, and online health guidance and medical institutions that offer online telemedicine can potentially improve accessibility to medical care. It differs from conventional online telemedicine in the midwife's coordination practice by monitoring the patient's condition and requesting the physician based on the patient's request.

Headache prevalence and demographic associations in the Delhi and National Capital Region of India: estimates from a cross-sectional nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND: India is a large and populous country where reliable data on headache disorders are relatively scarce. This study in northern India (Delhi and National Capital Territory Region [NCR], including surrounding districts in the States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan) continues the series of population-based studies within the Global Campaign against Headache and follows an earlier study, using the same protocol and questionnaire, in the southern State of Karnataka. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the Global Campaign's established methodology. Biologically unrelated Indian nationals aged 18-65 years were included through multistage random sampling in both urban and rural areas of NCR. Interviews at unannounced household visits followed the structured Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire in its original English version or in the validated Hindi version. Demographic enquiry was followed by a neutral headache screening question and diagnostic questions based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders edition 3 (ICHD-3), which focused on each respondent's most bothersome headache. Questions about headache yesterday (HY) enabled estimation of 1-day prevalence. A diagnostic algorithm first identified participants reporting headache on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+), diagnosing probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) in those also reporting acute medication use on ≥ 15 days/month, and "other H15+" in those not. To all others, the algorithm applied ICHD-3 criteria in the order definite migraine, definite tension-type headache (TTH), probable migraine, probable TTH. Definite and probable diagnoses were combined. RESULTS: Adjusted for age, gender and habitation, 1-year prevalences were 26.3% for migraine, 34.1% for TTH, 3.0% for pMOH and 4.5% for other H15+. Female preponderance was seen in all headache types except TTH: migraine 35.7% vs. 15.1% (aOR = 3.3; p < 0.001); pMOH 4.3% vs. 0.7% (aOR = 5.1; p < 0.001); other H15 + 5.9% vs. 2.3% (aOR = 2.5; p = 0.08). One-day prevalence of (any) headache was 12.0%, based on reported HY. One-day prevalence predicted from 1-year prevalence and mean recalled headache frequency over 3 months was slightly lower (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalences of migraine and TTH in Delhi and NCR substantially exceed global means. They closely match those in the Karnataka study: migraine 25.2%, TTH 35.1%. We argue that these estimates can reasonably be extrapolated to all India.

Does physical activity and inflammation mediate the job stress-headache relationship? A sequential mediation analysis in the ELSA-Brasil study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that physical activity reduces stress and promote a myriad of health-enhancing effects through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, it is unknown whether these mechanisms interfere in the association between psychosocial job stress and headache disorders. OBJECTIVE: To test whether physical activity and its interplay with the systemic inflammation biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and acute phase glycoproteins (GlycA) would mediate the associations between job stress and headache disorders. METHODS: We cross-sectionally evaluated the baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) regarding job stress (higher demand and lower control and support subscales), migraine and tension-type headache (ICHD-2 criteria), self-reported leisure-time physical activity, and plasma hs-CRP and GlycA levels. Conditional process analyses with a sequential mediation approach were employed to compute path coefficients and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) around the indirect effects of physical activity and biomarkers on the job stress-headache relationship. Separate models were adjusted for sex, age, and depression and anxiety. Further adjustments added BMI smoking status, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: In total, 7,644 people were included in the study. The 1-year prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache were 13.1 % and 49.4 %, respectively. In models adjusted for sex, age, anxiety, and depression, the association between job stress (lower job control) and migraine was mediated by physical activity [effect = -0.039 (95 %CI: -0.074, -0.010)] but not hs-CRP or GlycA. TTH was associated with higher job control and lower job demand, which was mediated by the inverse associations between physical activity and GlycA [Job Control: effect = 0.0005 (95 %CI: 0.0001, 0.0010); Job Demand: effect = 0.0003 (95 %CI: 0.0001, 0.0007]. Only the mediating effect of physical activity in the job stress-migraine link remained after further adjustments including socioeconomic factors, BMI, smoking, and the exclusion of major chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: In the ELSA-Brasil study, physical activity reversed the link between job stress and migraine independently of systemic inflammation, while the LTPA-mediated downregulation of GlycA was associated with lower job stress-related TTH.

Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality in Headache Disorder Diagnosis, Classification, and Management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review provides an overview of the current and future role of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) in addressing the complexities inherent to the diagnosis, classification, and management of headache disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: Through machine learning and natural language processing approaches, AI offers unprecedented opportunities to identify patterns within complex and voluminous datasets, including brain imaging data. This technology has demonstrated promise in optimizing diagnostic approaches to headache disorders and automating their classification, an attribute particularly beneficial for non-specialist providers. Furthermore, AI can enhance headache disorder management by enabling the forecasting of acute events of interest, such as migraine headaches or medication overuse, and by guiding treatment selection based on insights from predictive modeling. Additionally, AI may facilitate the streamlining of treatment efficacy monitoring and enable the automation of real-time treatment parameter adjustments. VR technology, on the other hand, offers controllable and immersive experiences, thus providing a unique avenue for the investigation of the sensory-perceptual symptomatology associated with certain headache disorders. Moreover, recent studies suggest that VR, combined with biofeedback, may serve as a viable adjunct to conventional treatment. Addressing challenges to the widespread adoption of AI and VR in headache medicine, including reimbursement policies and data privacy concerns, mandates collaborative efforts from stakeholders to enable the equitable, safe, and effective utilization of these technologies in advancing headache disorder care. This review highlights the potential of AI and VR to support precise diagnostics, automate classification, and enhance management strategies for headache disorders.

Durable effects of acupuncture for tension-type headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acupuncture may be effective in treating tension-type headache (TTH). The durability of its effects after treatment completion remains inconclusive. Methods: We searched multiple databases and references from previous reviews for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture for TTH. We assessed the methodological quality of RCTs using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2) tool. Primary outcome was response rate, defined as the proportion of participants who reported at least a 50% reduction in monthly headache days from baseline after completion of treatment. Secondary outcomes included headache days, headache intensity, and analgesic use. Safety outcomes were also evaluated. Results: A total of seven RCTs involving 3,221 participants with frequent episodic and chronic TTH were included. Individuals receiving acupuncture reported a significantly higher response rate versus sham acupuncture (SA) immediately and at 1-6 months after completion of treatment (P<0.05). Compared with SA, post-treatment results of headache days and headache intensity appeared consistent on the whole, showing associations favoring acupuncture. However, no significant reduction in analgesic use was found post-treatment. Acupuncture showed no superiority over physical training or relaxation training in headache days and headache intensity. Moreover, no serious adverse events associated with acupuncture were reported. Conclusion: Limited evidence suggested that acupuncture might provide durable post-treatment effects in the management of frequent episodic and chronic TTH for up to 6 months compared with SA,with no severe treatment-related adverse events reported.

Dry needling in the management of chronic tension-type headache associated with levator scapulae syndrome: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: The use of DN to the muscular trigger points and distal periosteal enthesis of the levator scapulae may be a useful adjunct intervention within a multi-modal plan of care for the management of work-related chronic tension-type headaches associated with LSS. Abstract: Chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH) have a lifetime prevalence of 42% and account for more lost workdays than migraine headaches. Dry needling (DN) is being increasingly used by physical therapists in the management of CTTH; however, to date, the supporting evidence is limited. The purpose of this case report was to describe how three sessions of DN targeting myofascial trigger points in the levator scapulae (LS) muscle and its distal enthesis was used to treat a 63-year-old male patient who presented with work-related CTTH associated with levator scapulae syndrome (LSS). The patient was treated for five visits over the course of 2 months. At discharge and 6-month follow-up, the patient reported full resolution of symptoms. Self-report outcomes included the numeric pain rating scale and the Neck Disability Index. The use of DN to the LS muscle and its distal enthesis may be a valuable addition to a multi-modal plan of care in the treatment of work-related CTTH associated with LSS.

Tension-Type Headache Management: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

INTRODUCTION: Tension-type headache (TTH) is common but challenging to manage due to limited effectiveness of conventional treatments. This study examines six complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions through network meta-analysis to identify effective TTH management strategies. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OVID, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM databases for randomized controlled trials on CAM for TTH treatment. Headache frequency and intensity were the primary outcomes. Methodological quality was evaluated on the basis of the Cochrane risk of bias tool. We used R software to conduct this Bayesian network meta-analysis. We used mean difference (MD) with 95% credible intervals (CI) to calculate the continuous outcomes and analyzed the percentages of the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve. RESULTS: In total, 32 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2405 participants were analyzed. For reducing headache intensity, the network meta-analysis shows that acupuncture therapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine (AT_TCM), manual therapy (MT), psychological treatment (PT), and traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and manual therapy (TCM_AT_MT) are superior to Western medicine (WM). In the SUCRA curve, TCM_AT_MT is the best for reducing headache frequency (HF). CONCLUSIONS: This review, assessed as low-quality evidence by GRADE, cautiously suggests potential benefits of PT over other CAM interventions for TTH and indicates TCM_AT_MT might better reduce HF. It proposes that combining CAM interventions could enhance outcomes. Due to the preliminary nature of these findings, further high-quality RCTs are essential to confirm these suggestions and provide clearer clinical guidance. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021252073.

Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Headache.

Headache is consistently one of the most common complaints reported by patients in the medical setting worldwide. Headache can be a symptom of another condition or illness, secondary to the disruption of homeostasis, or can be a primary disorder with inherent variability and patterns. Headache disorders, whether primary or secondary, can cause significant disability and loss of quality of life for those affected. As such, it is important for primary care providers to feel confident evaluating and treating patients with headache, especially given the limited access to Headache Medicine subspecialists.

Does pain self-efficacy predict, moderate or mediate outcomes in people with chronic headache; an exploratory analysis of the CHESS trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic headache disorders are disabling. The CHESS trial studied the effects of a short non-pharmacological intervention of education with self-management support for people affected by migraine and/or tension type headache for at least 15 days per month for at least three months. There were no statistically significant effects on the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) at 12-months. However, we observed improvement in pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ) and short-term HIT-6. We explored the impact of the CHESS intervention on PSEQ, and subsequently, on the HIT-6 and chronic headache quality of life questionnaire (CH-QLQ) at four, eighth and 12 months. METHODS: We included all 736 participants from the CHESS trial. We used simple linear regression models to explore the change of HIT-6 and CH-QLQ with treatment and PSEQ at baseline (predictor analysis), and the interaction between treatment and baseline PSEQ (moderator analysis). We considered the change of PSEQ from baseline to four months as a mediator in the mediation analysis. RESULTS: Baseline PSEQ neither predicted nor moderated outcomes. The prediction effect on change of HIT-6 from baseline to 12 months was 0.01 (95% CI, -0.03 to 0.04) and the interaction (moderation) effect was -0.07 (95% CI, -0.15 to 0.002). However, the change of PSEQ from baseline to 4-month mediated the HIT-6 (baseline to 8-, and 12-month) and all components of CH-QLQ (baseline to 8-, and 12-month). The CHESS intervention improved the mediated variable, PSEQ, by 2.34 (95% CI, 0.484 to 4.187) units and this corresponds to an increase of 0.21 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.45) units in HIT-6 at 12-months. The largest mediated effect was observed on the CH-QLQ Emotional Function, an increase of 1.12 (95% CI, 0.22 to 2.20). CONCLUSIONS: PSEQ was not an effective predictor of outcome. However, change of short-term PSEQ mediated all outcomes, albeit minimally. Future behavioural therapy for chronic headache may need to consider how to achieve larger, and more sustained increases level of self-efficacy than that achieved within the CHESS trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN79708100.

Efficacy and safety of simple analgesics for acute treatment of episodic tension-type headache in adults: a network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Tension-type headache is the most common type of primary headache and results in a huge socioeconomic burden. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of simple analgesics for the treatment of episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) in adults. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Chinese BioMedical Literature database and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases for eligible randomized clinical trials reporting the efficacy and/or safety of simple analgesics. A Bayesian NMA was performed to compare relative efficacy and safety. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was calculated to rank interventions. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018090554. RESULTS: We highlighted six studies including 3507 patients. For the 2 h pain-free rate, the SUCRA ranking was ibuprofen > diclofenac-K > ketoprofen > acetaminophen > naproxen > placebo. All drugs except naproxen reported a higher 2 h pain-free rate than placebo, with a risk ratio (RR) of 2.86 (95% credible interval, CrI: 1.62-5.42) for ibuprofen and 2.61 (1.53-4.88) for diclofenac-K. For adverse events rate, the SUCRA ranking was: metamizol > diclofenac-K > ibuprofen > lumiracoxib > placebo > aspirin > acetaminophen > naproxen > ketoprofen. The adverse event rates of all analgesics were no higher than those of placebo, except for ketoprofen. Moreover, all drugs were superior to placebo in the global assessment of efficacy. In particular, the RR of lumiracoxib was 2.47 (1.57-4.57). Global heterogeneity I2 between the studies was low. CONCLUSIONS: Simple analgesics are considered more effective and safe as a placebo for ETTH in adults. Our results suggest that ibuprofen and diclofenac-K may be the two best treatment options for patients with ETTH from a comprehensive point of view (both high-quality evidence).

To our knowledge, this is the first network meta-analysis comparing the available data on adult patients with episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) treated with different simple analgesics recommended by the current guidelines.Ibuprofen (400 mg) and diclofenac-K (12.5 mg, 25 mg) are potentially the most effective and safe treatment options, supported by high-quality evidence.

Retrospective Evaluation of Patients Admitted to the Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic with Headache: Experience of a Tertiary Hospital.

Objectives: It was aimed to determine the etiological and clinical features of pediatric patients with headache complaints. Methods: The files of patients who were admitted to the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic with headache were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' age, gender, features of headache, symptoms accompanying headache, available blood tests, brain magnetic resonance (MR) and electroencephalography (EEG) results were recorded. Results: Of the total 470 patients, aged between 3 and 17 years, 291 (61.9%) were female and 179 (39.1%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 12.38±3.45 years. According to age groups, there were 16 (3.4%) patients under the age of 5, 159 (33.8%) between the ages of 6-11, and 295 (62.8%) patients aged 12-17 years. While 289 (61.5%) patients were diagnosed with primary headache, 122 (26.0%) patients were diagnosed with secondary headache, and headaches of 59 (12.5%) patients could not be classified. The most common primary headaches were tension-type headache (TTN) (n=177, 37.7%) and migraine (n=111, 23.6%). The 86 (70.5%) of the patients with secondary headache were diagnosed with sinusitis. Abnormal neurological examination finding was determined in 8 (1.7%) patients. Brain MR was performed in 439 (93.4%) of all patients and abnormal brain MR findings were detected in 52 (11.8%) patients. EEG was performed in 205 (43.6%) of all patients and abnormal EEG findings were detected in 24 (11.7%) patients. Conclusion: According to age groups, headache was most common in the 12-17 age group. The most common causes of headache were TTN and migraine, respectively. The most common secondary headache cause was sinusitis. We think that physical and neurological examination still maintains its priority in determining the causes of headache.

Utility of the occipital nerve block in the emergency department: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Tension headaches, as well as various scalp pathologies including lacerations and abscesses are commonly treated in the emergency department (ED). The occipital nerve block (ONB), previously described in anesthesia and neurology literature, offers analgesia of the posterior scalp on the side ipsilateral to the injection while maintaining a low adverse effect profile. CASE REPORT: We report three cases in which ONB was utilized for tension headache, scalp laceration repair, and incision and drainage of scalp abscess. These patients all reported significant pain improvement without any reported complications. CONCLUSION: The ONB is a landmark based technique that offers an opportunity to provide analgesia in the ED that is simple, effective, and without known significant risks that are associated with other modalities of treatment.

Sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation: a comprehensive evaluation across diseases in randomized controlled trials.

Background: Current literature extensively covers the use of sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation (SPGs) in treating a broad spectrum of medical conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, cluster headaches, and strokes. Nevertheless, a discernible gap in the systematic organization and analysis of these studies is evident. This paper aims to bridge this gap by conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of existing literature on SPGs across various medical conditions. Methods: This study meticulously constructed a comprehensive database through systematic computerized searches conducted on PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM up to May 2022. The inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in either Chinese or English, focusing on the therapeutic applications of SPGs for various medical conditions. Both qualitative and quantitative outcome indicators were considered eligible for inclusion. Results: This comprehensive study reviewed 36 publications, comprising 10 high-quality, 23 medium-quality, and three low-quality articles. The study investigated various diseases, including allergic rhinitis (AR), ischemic strokes (IS), cluster headache (CH), primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN), pediatric chronic secretory otitis (PCSO), refractory facial paralysis (RFP), chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), as well as the analysis of low-frequency sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation (LF-SPGs) in chronic cluster headache (CCH) and the impact of SPGs on Normal nasal cavity function (NNCF). SPGs demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of AR. Regarding the improvement of rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) scores, SPGs are considered the optimal intervention according to the SUCRA ranking. Concerning the improvement in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Conventional Acupuncture Combined with Tradiational Chinese Medicine (CA-TCM) holds a significant advantage in the SUCRA ranking and is deemed the best intervention. In terms of increasing Effective Rate (ER), SPGs outperformed both conventional acupuncture (CA) and Western Medicine (WM; P < 0.05). In the context of SPGs treatment for IS, the results indicate a significant improvement in the 3-month outcomes, as evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) in the context of Cerebral Cortical Infarction (CCI; P < 0.05). In the treatment of CH with SPGs, the treatment has been shown to have a statistically significant effect on the relief and disappearance of headaches (P < 0.05). The impact of SPGs on NNCF reveals statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05) in nasal airway resistance (NAR), nasal cavity volume (NCV), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). SPGs treatments for PCSO, RFP, and CTTH, when compared to control groups, yielded statistically significant results (P < 0.05). Conclusion: SPGs demonstrate significant effectiveness in the treatment of AR, IS, and CH. Effective management of CCH may require addressing both autonomic dysregulation and deeper neural pathways. However, additional high-quality research is essential to clarify its effects on NNCF, PTN, PCSO, RFP, and CTTH. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021252073, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=312429.

Optical coherence tomography findings in primary headache disorders: is pain duration a clinical correlate?

OBJECTIVE: Ganglion cell layer thickness (GCLT) may be used as a potential marker for central neural changes. We compared GCLT by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with primary headache disorders and healthy controls. We seek whether there was any difference between the headache groups and whether any clinical parameters correlated to GCLT. METHODS: Fifty-three primary headache patients, 11 age and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in this cross-sectional study after power analysis. All subjects underwent SD-OCT. The duration of disorder, headache frequency, severity, duration of pain, presence of ocular pain, and accompanying symptoms have been collected. RESULTS: Mean GCLT of the headache group was 15.7 ± 3.8 µm (mean ± standard deviation), and the control group was 17.5 ± 2.4. The difference was not statistically significant. When we compared the controls, migraine and tension-type headache patients' GCLT values, we found a significant difference (ANOVA, p = 0.001). Migraine patients had thinner GCLT compared to all non-migraine headache patients (p = 0.01). Intraocular pressure values of migraine patients and non-migraine patients were not statistically significantly different (p = 0.13). The only clinical parameter that correlated with GCLT was pain duration (r = -0.43 and p = 0.01). The patients with white matter lesions had thinner GCLT (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that not long-term suffering from pain but migraine pathophysiology itself seems to affect neuroretinal tissue. Pain duration was moderately and inversely correlated to GCLT, meaning that the longer the headache, the thinner the ganglion cell layer is.

The burdens attributable to primary headache disorders in children and adolescents in Iran: estimates from a schools-based study.

BACKGROUND: We recently found headache disorders to be highly prevalent among children (aged 6-11 years) and adolescents (aged 12-17) in Iran (gender- and age-adjusted 1-year prevalences: migraine 25.2%, tension-type headache 12.7%, undifferentiated headache [UdH] 22.1%, probable medication-overuse headache [pMOH] 1.1%, other headache on ≥ 15 days/month [H15+] 3.0%). Here we report on the headache-attributed burden, taking evidence from the same study. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, following the generic protocol for the global schools-based study led by the Global Campaign against Headache, we administered the child and adolescent versions of the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) structured questionnaire in 121 schools, purposively selected to reflect the country's diversities. Pupils self-completed these in class, under supervision. Headache diagnostic questions were based on ICHD-3 criteria but for the inclusion of UdH (defined as mild headache with usual duration < 1 h). Burden enquiry was across multiple domains. RESULTS: The analysed sample (N = 3,244) included 1,308 (40.3%) children and 1,936 (59.7%) adolescents (1,531 [47.2%] male, 1,713 [52.8%] female). The non-participating proportion was 3.4%. Mean headache frequency was 3.9 days/4 weeks, and mean duration 1.8 h. Estimated mean proportion of time in ictal state was 1.1% (1.4% for migraine, 16.5% for pMOH). Symptomatic medication was consumed on a mean of 1.6 days/4 weeks. Lost school time averaged 0.4 days/4 weeks overall (2%, assuming a 5-day week), but was eleven-fold higher (4.3 days; 22%) for pMOH. For most headache types, days of reported limited activity were several-fold more than days lost from school (45% for pMOH, 25% for other H15+). Almost one in 12 parents (7.9%) missed work at least once in 4 weeks because of their son's or daughter's headache. Emotional impact and quality-of-life scores reflected these measures of burden. CONCLUSIONS: Headache, common in children and adolescents in Iran, is associated with symptom burdens that may be onerous for some but not for most. However, there are substantial consequential burdens, particularly for the 1.1% with pMOH and the 3.0% with other H15+, who suffer educational disturbances and potentially major life impairments. These findings are of importance to educational and health policies in Iran.

The burden of headache disorders in the adult general population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: estimates from a cross-sectional population-based study including a health-care needs assessment.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown headache to be highly prevalent among adults in Saudi Arabia. Here we estimate associated symptom burden and impaired participation (impaired use of time, lost productivity and disengagement from social activity), and use these estimates to assess headache-related health-care needs in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A randomised cross-sectional survey included 2,316 adults (18-65 years) from all 13 regions of the country. It used the standardised methodology of the Global Campaign against Headache with a culturally mandated modification: engagement by cellphone using random digit-dialling rather than door-to-door visits. Enquiry used the HARDSHIP questionnaire, with diagnostic questions based on ICHD-3 beta, questions on symptom burden, enquiries into impaired participation using the HALT index and questions about activity yesterday in those reporting headache yesterday (HY). Health-care "need" was defined in terms of likelihood of benefit. We counted all those with headache on ≥ 15 days/month, with migraine on ≥ 3 days/month, or with migraine or TTH and meeting either of two criteria: a) proportion of time in ictal state (pTIS) > 3.3% and intensity ≥ 2 (moderate-severe); b) ≥ 3 lost days from paid work and/or household chores during 3 months. RESULTS: For all headache, mean frequency was 4.3 days/month, mean duration 8.4 h, mean intensity 2.3 (moderate). Mean pTIS was 3.6%. Mean lost days from work were 3.9, from household chores 6.6, from social/leisure activities 2.0. Of participants reporting HY, 37.3% could do less than half their expected activity, 19.8% could do nothing. At population-level (i.e., for every adult), 2.5 workdays (potentially translating into lost GDP), 3.6 household days and 1.3 social/leisure days were lost to headache. According to HY data, mean total impaired participation (not distinguishing between work, household and social/leisure) was 6.8%. A total of 830 individuals (35.8%) fulfilled one or more of our needs assessment criteria. CONCLUSION: A very high symptom burden is associated with a commensurately high burden of impaired participation. The economic cost appears to be enormous. Over a third of the adult population are revealed to require headache-related health care on the basis of being likely to benefit, demanding highly efficient organization of care.

The prevalence and demographic associations of headache in the adult population of Benin: a cross-sectional population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is increasingly well informed with regard to headache disorders, but sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains one of the large regions of the world with limited data directly derived from population-based studies. The Global Campaign against Headache has conducted three studies in this region: Ethiopia in the east, Zambia in the south and Cameroon in Central SSA. Here we report a similar study in Benin, the first from West SSA. METHODS: We used the same methods and questionnaire, applying cluster-randomized sampling in three regions of the country, randomly selecting households in each region, visiting these unannounced and randomly selecting one adult member (aged 18-65 years) of each household. The HARDSHIP structured questionnaire, translated into Central African French, was administered face-to-face by trained interviewers. Demographic enquiry was followed by diagnostic questions based on ICHD-3 criteria. RESULTS: From 2,550 households with eligible members, we recruited 2,400 participants (participating proportion 94.1%). Headache ever was reported by almost all (95.2%), this being the lifetime prevalence. Headache in the last year was reported by 74.9%. Age-, gender- and habitation-adjusted estimates of 1-year prevalence were 72.9% for all headache, 21.2% for migraine (including definite and probable), 43.1% for TTH (also including definite and probable), 4.5% for probable medication-overuse (pMOH) and 3.1% for other headache on ≥ 15 days/month. One-day (point) prevalence of headache was 14.8% according to reported headache on the day preceding interview. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings are evidence that headache disorders are very common in Benin, a low-income country. The prevalence of pMOH, well above the estimated global mean of 1-2%, is evidence that poverty is not a bar to medication overuse. The findings are very much the same as those in a similar study in its near neighbour, Cameroon. With regard to migraine, they are reasonably in accord with two of three earlier studies in selected Beninese populations, which did not take account of probable migraine. This study adds to the hitherto limited knowledge of headache in SSA.

Effects of Dry Needling on Active Myofascial Trigger Points and Pain Intensity in Tension-Type Headache: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Tension-type headache is the most prevalent type of headache and is commonly associated with myofascial pain syndrome and the presence of active myofascial trigger points. This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the impact of dry needling on the total number of active trigger points, pain intensity, and perceived clinical change in tension-type headache subjects. Thirty-two subjects were randomly assigned to the control and dry needling groups. The presence of active trigger points in 15 head and neck muscles, the headache intensity, and the perceived clinical change were evaluated. A single dry needling technique was administered at each active trigger point across three sessions. Significant differences were observed in the post-treatment measures favouring the dry needling group, including reductions in the headache intensity scores (p = 0.034) and the total number of active trigger points (p = 0.039). Moreover, significant differences in the perception of clinical change were found between the control and treatment groups (p = 0.000). Dry needling demonstrated positive effects in reducing the number of active trigger points and improving the short-term headache intensity in tension-type headache patients. A single dry needling session applied in the cranio-cervical area resulted in a self-perceived improvement compared to the control subjects.