Open AccessExploring multidimensional characteristics in cervicogenic headache: Relations between pain processing, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors
Author(s) -
Mingels Sarah,
Dankaerts Wim,
Etten Ludo,
Bruckers Liesbeth,
Granitzer Marita
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.2339
Subject(s) - psychosocial , cervicogenic headache , biopsychosocial model , anxiety , pittsburgh sleep quality index , physical therapy , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , perceived stress scale , psychological intervention , psychology , clinical psychology , sleep quality , psychiatry , migraine , stress (linguistics) , cognition , linguistics , philosophy , nursing
Objective Although multidimensional interventions including physiotherapy, psychology, and education are generally recommended in managing headache, and to prevent chronification, such approach is lacking in cervicogenic headache (CeH). Therefore, exploring CeH within a biopsychosocial framework is deemed an essential first step. Methods Non‐randomized cross‐sectional design to compare pain processing, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics between 18 participants with CeH (CeH group) (40.2 ± 10.9 years) and 18 matched controls (control group) (39.2 ± 13.1 years). Pain processing characteristics included degree of central sensitization (Central Sensitization Inventory), and (extra)‐cephalic pressure pain thresholds (kPa/cm²/s). Lifestyle characteristics included sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), physical activity, screen time, and sedentary time (hours a week). Psychosocial characteristics included degree of depression, anxiety and stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale‐21), and quality of life (Headache Impact Test‐6). Results Pain processing characteristics : More ( p = .04) participants in the CeH group showed higher degrees of central sensitization compared to the control group. Lower ( p < .05) (extra)‐cephalic pressure pain thresholds were revealed in the CeH group compared to the control group for each muscle. Lifestyle and psychosocial characteristics : Compared to the control group, sleep quality and headache‐related quality of life were worse ( p < .0001) in the CeH group. Severe to extreme stress was experienced by more participants in the CeH group ( p = .02). Further, significant relations between pain processing and (1) lifestyle characteristics and (2) psychosocial characteristics were seen in the CeH group. Conclusion Exploring multidimensional characteristics in CeH exposed relations between pain processing, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics. These novel findings fill a gap in the current scientific literature, and highlight the need for outcome research targeting lifestyle and psychosocial factors.