Comparison of pain descriptors in cervicogenic headache, episodic and chronic migraine

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OBJECTIVE

To apply the Second Short-form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) for analysis of differences in the use of pain descriptors in cervicogenic headache (CGH) and migraine combined with CGH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We enrolled patients with CGH, chronic and episodic migraine accompanied by non-specific neck pain.

RESULTS

Among 670 patients who applied for neck pain accompanied by headache, musculoskeletal dysfunction of the cervical spine accompanied by impaired mobility of the C1-C2 joint and local pain in the same area, as well as unilateral headache were observed in 142 (21.2%) patients. Of these, chronic migraine was diagnosed in 52 patients (the 1^st group); episodic migraine — in 62 cases (the 2^nd group); CGH — in 28 patients (the 3^rd group). Between-group differences were found in the number and intensity of pain descriptors. Thus, patients in both groups described headache significantly more often using descriptors «throbbing», «sickening», «splitting» (about headache) and «excruciating». Intensity of these sensations was significantly higher in the 1^st and the 2^nd groups compared to the CGH group.

CONCLUSION

Even in case of musculoskeletal dysfunction, patients with migraine use a greater number of pain descriptors and higher rank of their intensity.

Keywords:

migraine

cervicogenic headache

pain descriptors

McGill pain questionnaire

Authors:

Bakhtadze M.A.

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University;
Center for Manual Therapy

Kuzminov K.O.

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University;
Manual Therapy Center

Proskuryakov K.V.

Center for Manual Therapy of the Moscow Healthcare Department

Received:

01.03.2022

Accepted:

10.03.2022

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