Balance disorders in headache patients: evaluation by computerized static stabilometry.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of equilibrium disturbances in headache patients, during the interictal period, by computerized static stabilometry.


METHODS
Sixty-seven patients were studied: 35 with migraine without aura (MwoA), 12 with tension-type headache (TTH) in the episodic form (ETTH) + MwoA, and 20 with only TTH [10 ETTH + 10 chronic (CTTH)]. The stabilometric parameters considered were: statokinesigram length (L) and surface (S) in open (EO) and closed (EC) eyes conditions with/without occlusal bite, EC with head retroflexion (ECR), and optokinetic stimulation (OKN).


RESULTS
The alteration of at least one of the stabilometric parameters was observed in 45 patients (67.2%): 21 MwoA, 8 ETTH + MwoA, and 16 TTH (8 ETTH + 8 CTTH).


CONCLUSIONS
In TTH patients (ETTH, CTTH, ETTH + MwoA), the stabilometric findings show a proprioceptive alteration induced by cervicofacial muscle contraction, which was peripheral in origin. In MwoA patients the alterations appear under OKN and support a control impairment in involuntary oculomotility of central origin.
Rossi
C
C
Headache Center - Department of Neuroscience, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. headache@unipg.it
Alberti
A
A
Sarchielli
P
P
Mazzotta
G
G
Capocchi
G
G
Faralli
M
M
Ricci
G
G
Molini
E
E
Altissimi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000503:physiopathology