Throbbing pain is related to Queckenstedt's test effect in migraine patients.
The Queckenstedt's (Q)-test can aggravate headache intensity during migraine attacks (Q-test effect). The objective of this study was to delineate the Q-test effect in patients experiencing migraine attacks. We performed a 30-s Q- and a sham test on 39 patients with acute migraine attacks in both supine and sitting positions. Headache intensities during and 30 s after the Q- or sham tests were recorded on a 0-10 verbal scale. Brushing allodynia (BA) was recorded after using a gauze-brushing test over the patient's face and forearms. The Q- but not the sham test aggravated headache intensity in both sitting and supine positions. The presence of throbbing pain and higher pain intensities was associated with the Q-test effect in the supine position. However, the presence or absence of BA was not correlated. We concluded that the Q-test effect is likely to be related to peripheral sensitization of the meninges but not central sensitization. The Q-test effect may be used as an objective marker for peripheral sensitization.
Chou
C-H
CH
Department of Neurology, Yuan-Shan Veterans Hospital, Yi-Lan, Taiwan.
Fuh
J-L
JL
Hu
H-H
HH
Wu
J-C
JC
Wang
S-J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016683:Supine Position