Generalized Pressure Pain Hypersensitivity in the Cervical Muscles in Women with Migraine.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differences in pressure sensitivity in the cervical musculature including the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, levator scapulae, and anterior scalene muscles between women with migraine and healthy controls.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Thirty women with migraine and 30 healthy women participated.


METHODS
Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were bilaterally assessed over upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, levator scapulae, and anterior scalene muscles in a blinded design. Mean values of both sides were pooled for statistical analysis. Comparison between groups was performed by unpaired Student t-test and correlation with headache features with Spearman's correlation test.


RESULTS
Migraine patients exhibited lower PPT in all muscles compared with controls: upper trapezius (P = 0.046); suboccipital (P < 0.001); sternocleidomastoid (P < 0.001); anterior scalene (P < 0.001), and levator scapulae (P < 0001). No associations were observed between the frequency and the intensity of migraine or years with the disease and PPT.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed generalized pressure pain hypersensitivity in the cervical musculature in women with migraine. Our findings provide support for the physical therapy treatment and evaluation of musculoskeletal cervical spine disorders in individuals with migraine and reinforce that all cervical muscles should be evaluated.
Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Apparatus Rehabilitation.
Lidiane Lima
LL
Florencio
Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Apparatus Rehabilitation.
Maria Carolina Merli
MC
Giantomassi
Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Apparatus Rehabilitation.
Gabriela Ferreira
GF
Carvalho
Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Apparatus Rehabilitation.
Maria Cláudia
MC
Gonçalves
Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil.
Fabíola
F
Dach
Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.
César
C
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas
Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Apparatus Rehabilitation.
Débora
D
Bevilaqua-Grossi
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019547:Neck Pain; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D011312:Pressure; D055815:Young Adult
Cervical Spine; Migraine; Muscles; Pressure Pain Threshold