Profiling migraine patients according to clinical and psychophysical characteristics: clinical validity of distinct migraine clusters.

AIMS: Investigate if different clinical and psychophysical bedside tools can differentiate between district migraine phenotypes in ictal/perictal (cohort 1) and interictal (cohort 2) phases. METHOD: This observational study included two independent samples in which patients were subgrouped into distinct clusters using standardized bedside assessment tools (headache frequency, disability, cervical active range of motion, pressure pain threshold in different areas): (A) cohort 1-ictal/perictal migraine patients were subgrouped, based on previous studies, into two clusters, i.e., Cluster-1.1 No Psychophysical Impairments (NPI) and Cluster-1.2 Increased Pain Sensitivity and Cervical Musculoskeletal Dysfunction (IPS-CMD); (B) cohort 2-interictal migraine patients were subgrouped into three clusters, i.e., Cluster-2.1 NPI, Cluster-2.2 IPS, and Cluster-2.3 IPS-CMD. Clinical characteristics (multiple questionnaires), somatosensory function (comprehensive quantitative sensory testing (QST)), and cervical musculoskeletal impairments (cervical musculoskeletal assessment) were assessed and compared across headache clusters and a group of 56 healthy controls matched for sex and age. RESULTS: Cohort 1: A total of 156 subjects were included. Cluster-1.2 (IPS-CMD) had higher headache intensity (p = 0.048), worse headache-related (p = 0.003) and neck-related disability (p = 0.005), worse quality of life (p = 0.003), and higher symptoms related to sensitization (p = 0.001) and psychological burden (p = 0.005) vs. Cluster-1.1(NPI). Furthermore, Cluster-1.2 (IPS-CMD) had (1) reduced cervical active and passive range of motion (p < 0.023), reduced functionality of deep cervical flexors (p < 0.001), and reduced values in all QST(p < 0.001) vs. controls, and (2) reduced active mobility in flexion, left/right lateral flexion (p < 0.045), and reduced values in QST (p < 0.001) vs. Cluster-1.1 (NPI). Cohort 2: A total of 154 subjects were included. Cluster-2.3 (IPS-CMD) had (1) longer disease duration (p = 0.006), higher headache frequency (p = 0.006), disability (p < 0.001), and psychological burden (p = 0.027) vs. Cluster-2.2 (IPS) and (2) higher headache-related disability (p = 0.010), neck-related disability (p = 0.009), and higher symptoms of sensitization (p = 0.018) vs. Cluster-2.1 (NPI). Cluster-2.3(IPS-CMD) had reduced cervical active and passive range of motion (p < 0.034), and reduced functionality of deep cervical flexors (p < 0.001), vs. controls, Custer-2.1 (NPI), and Cluster-2.2 (IPS). Cluster-2.2 (IPS) and 2.3 (IPS-CMD) had reduced QST values vs. controls (p < 0.001) and Cluster-2.1 (p < 0.039). CONCLUSION: A battery of patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) and quantitative bedside tools can separate migraine clusters with different clinical characteristics, somatosensory functions, and cervical musculoskeletal impairments. This confirms the existence of distinct migraine phenotypes and emphasizes the importance of migraine phases of which the characteristics are assessed. This may have implications for responders and non-responders to anti-migraine medications.

COVID-19 and musculoskeletal pain: an overview of the current knowledge.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has provoked billions of infections worldwide. Several meta-analyses have observed that up to 50% of individuals who had survived to a SARS-CoV-2 acute infection suffer from post-COVID symptoms lasting for weeks or months and up to one year after infection. The prevalence of post-COVID pain ranges between 10% to 20% when assessed with other overall post-COVID symptoms and can reach up to 50% to 60% when investigated specifically. The most common musculoskeletal manifestations of post-COVID-19 condition include fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia or back pain. Despite pain of musculoskeletal origin is one of the most prevalent post-COVID pain symptoms, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of musculoskeletal post-COVID pain are not completely understood. Studies have reported the complexity of post-COVID pain including immune, biological, and psychological factors, and more recently, they have suggested that genetic and epigenetic factors may also play a potential role, highlighting the need for further investigation into these mechanisms. Its management is still controversial, as no specific guideline for treating musculoskeletal post-COVID pain has been proposed with only general consideration about the relevance of multidisciplinary and multimodal treatment approaches. In this paper we will highlight the clinical features, the mechanism, and the management possibilities of musculoskeletal post-COVID pain.

Cervical musculoskeletal impairments and pain sensitivity in migraine patients.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, examination of migraine patients relies on a clinical interview investigating symptoms characteristics. Despite this, to help identify distinct migraine subtypes and allow a personalized treatment approach, biomarkers to profile distinct migraine subtypes should be utilized in clinical and research settings. Therefore, there is a need to include physical and psychophysical examinations aimed at assessing migraine features quantitatively. PURPOSE: This paper aimed to discuss if increased pressure pain sensitivity and impaired cervical musculoskeletal function could be considered 1) as quantitative features of migraine and 2) if they could be used as biomarkers to profile migraine patients in distinct subtypes. IMPLICATION: Increased pain sensitivity and cervical musculoskeletal impairments have been suggested as quantitative biomarkers to phenotype and subgroup migraine patients in clinical and research settings. This could provide the first step for a mechanistically-driven and personalized treatment approach according to migraine phenotypes.

Trigeminocervical pain sensitivity during the migraine cycle depends on headache frequency.

OBJECTIVE: This experimental study aimed to assess pain sensitivity in low-frequency episodic migraine (LFEM), high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM), and chronic migraine (CM) patients across the different phases of the migraine cycle. METHOD: In this observational, experimental study, clinical characteristics (diary and time from the last/next headache attack), and quantitative sensory testing (QST) (wind-up pain ratio (WUR) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) from the trigeminal area and PPT from the cervical spine) was performed. LFEM, HFEM, and CM were assessed in each of the 4 migraine phases (HFEM and LFEM: interictal, preictal, ictal, and postictal; CM: interictal and ictal) and compared vs. each other's (matched for the phase) and controls. RESULTS: A total of 56 controls, 105 LFEM, 74 HFEM, and 32 CM were included. No differences in QST parameters were observed between LFEM, HFEM, and CM in any of the phases. During the interictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: 1) LFEM had lower trigeminal PPT (p = 0.001) and 2) lower cervical PPT (p = 0.001). No differences were observed between HFEM or CM and healthy controls. During the ictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: HFEM and CM had 1) lower trigeminal PPTs (HFEM p = 0.001; CM = p < 0.001), 2) lower cervical PPT s (HFEM p = 0.007; CM p < 0.001), and 3) higher trigeminal WUR (HFEM p = 0.001, CM p = 0.006). No differences were observed between LFEM and healthy controls. During the preictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: 1) LFEM had lower cervical PPT (p = 0.007), 2) HFEM had lower trigeminal (p = 0.013) and 3) HFEM had lower cervical (p = .006) PPTs. During the postictal phase and when comparing with controls the following were found: 1) LFEM had lower cervical PPT (p = 0.003), 2) HFEM had lower trigeminal PPT (p = 0.005), and 3) and HFEM had lower cervical (p = 0.007) PPTs. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that HFEM patients have a sensory profile matching CM better than LFEM. When assessing pain sensitivity in migraine populations, the phase with respects to headache attacks is of utmost importance and can explain the inconsistency in pain sensitivity data reported in the literature.

Migraine patients with and without neck pain: Differences in clinical characteristics, sensitization, musculoskeletal impairments, and psychological burden.

AIMS: This study aims to assess differences in clinical characteristics across healthy controls and migraine patients with (MNP) and without (MwoNP) neck pain. METHOD: This study assessed: headache frequency; headache disability index (HDI); central sensitization inventory (CSI); Hospital Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D) scale; active range of motion (AROM); flexion rotation test (FRT); activation pressure score (APS); number of active/latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in head/neck muscles; number of positive cervical vertebral segments (C1/C2) who reproduce migraine pain; wind-up ratio (WUR); mechanical pain threshold (MPT) and static pressure pain threshold (sPPT) over the trigeminal area; sPPT and dynamic PPT (dPPT) over the cervical area; sPPTs and MPT over the hand. RESULTS: Compared to controls, MNP had: worse CSI, HADS-A, and HADS-D (all, p < 0.002); reduced AROM (flexion, extension, left lateral-flexion, and right-rotation), FRT, APS, and a higher number of MTrPs and positive cervical vertebral segments (all, p < 0.020); reduced trigeminal MPT and sPPT, cervical sPPT and dPPT, hand MPT and sPPT (all, p < 0.006). Compared to controls, MwoNP had: worse CSI, and HADS-A (all, p < 0.002); reduced AROM (flexion, and left lateral-flexion), FRT, APS, and a higher number of MTrPs and positive cervical vertebral segments (all, p < 0.017); reduced trigeminal MPT and cervical dPPT (all, p < 0.007). Compared to MwoNP, MNP had higher headache frequency, worse HDI and CSI (all, p < 0.006); reduced AROM (flexion, and right rotation) (all, p < 0.037); reduced cervical dPPT (all, p < 0.002). CONCLUSION: MNP had worse headache characteristics, more pronounced cervical musculoskeletal impairments, enhanced signs and symptoms related to sensitization, and worse psychological burden compared to MwoNP.

Profiling migraine patients according to clinical and psychophysical characteristics: a cluster analysis approach.

AIM: This study aims to profile migraine patients according clinical and psychophysical characteristics. METHOD: In this observational study, two cohorts of migraine patients(episodic/chronic) were included. Cohort-1: ictal/perictal phase; Cohort-2: interictal phase.The following variables were assessed: headache frequency; disability; cervical active range of motion(AROM) in flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, right/left rotation; pressure-pain threshold(PPT) over: temporalis, two cervical areas(C1/C4 vertebral segments), and two distal pain-free areas(hand/leg). Cluster analysis was performed using the K-means algorithm. Differences across clusters were investigated. RESULTS: Cohort-1: 100 patients were included, and two clusters were identified. Cluster-1.1 (19%), Cluster-1.2 (81%). Cluster 1.1 had a higher percentage of men (P = .037) and higher disability (P = .003) compared to Clusters 1.2. Cluster 1.2 had reduced AROM in flexion, extension, and left/right lateral flexion (P < .037), and lower PPT value in all areas (P < .001) compared to Cluster 1.1. Cohort-2: 98 patients were included and three clusters were identified. Cluster-2.1(18%), Cluster-2.2(45%), and Cluster-2.3(37%). Cluster-2.1 had a higher percentage of men compared to clusters-2.2 and 2.3 (P = .009). Cluster-2.3 had higher headache frequency, and disability compared to Cluster-2.2 (P < .006), and higher disability compared to Cluster-2.1 (P = .010). Cluster-2.3 had reduced AROM in all directions compared to Clusters-2.1 and 2.2 (P < .029). Clusters-2.2 and 2.3 have lower PPT values in all areas compared to Cluster-1.1 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In the Ictal/perictal phase, two clusters were identified according to clinical and psychophysical characteristics, with one group showing no psychophysical impairment and one with increased pain-sensitivity and cervical musculoskeletal-dysfunctions.In the interictal phase, three clusters could be identified, with one group showing no psychophysical impairment, one increased pain-sensitivity, and one increased pain sensitivity and cervical musculoskeletal-dysfunctions.

Pressure Pain Threshold of the Upper Trapezius Trigger Point: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Baseline Values and Their Modification after Physical Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (TrP) are diagnosed upon the presence of clinical signs among which hypersensitivity is considered one of the most important. The detection of the pressure pain threshold (PPT) is used to quantify the degree of hypersensitivity. However, there is a lack of normative data about how hypersensitive a TrP is. Therefore, the objective was to quantify the PPT for myofascial TrP in the upper trapezius muscle and its modification after manual or instrumental physical therapy interventions. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted among three databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and PEDro). Two independent reviewers conducted the electronic search and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies with a high-risk bias indicated that the PPT at TrP sites was 105.11 kPa lower (95% CI: -148.93; -61.28) at active TrP sites (Chi-squared = 1.07, df = 1 (p = 0.30), I2 = 7%) compared to the PPT of the upper trapezius muscles of healthy subjects. In addition, the PPT of TrP was also lower than the reference values coming from the pain-free population. Moreover, the PPT increased after both manual and instrumental treatment by 28.36 kPa (95% CI: 10.75; 45.96) and 75.49 kPa (95% CI: 18.02; 132.95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that TrP has a decreased PPT when compared to healthy muscles and that physical therapy may increase the PPT. However, the clinical relevance of this decreased PPT needs to be further elucidated. Further, the high risk of bias in all the retrieved studies undermines the validity of the results.

Headache onset after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are used to reduce the risk of developing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite the significant benefits in terms of reduced risk of hospitalization and death, different adverse events may present after vaccination: among them, headache is one of the most common, but nowadays there is no summary presentation of its incidence and no description of its main features. METHODS: We searched PubMed and EMBASE covering the period between January 1st 2020 and August 6th, 2021, looking for record in English and with an abstract and using three main search terms (with specific variations): COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; headache/adverse events. We selected manuscript including information on subjects developing headache after injection, and such information had to be derived from a structured form (i.e. no free reporting). Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Analyses were carried out by vaccine vs. placebo, by first vs. second dose, and by mRNA-based vs. "traditional" vaccines; finally, we addressed the impact of age and gender on post-vaccine headache onset. RESULTS: Out of 9338 records, 84 papers were included in the review, accounting for 1.57 million participants, 94% of whom received BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1. Headache was generally the third most common AE: it was detected in 22% (95% CI 18-27%) of subjects after the first dose of vaccine and in 29% (95% CI 23-35%) after the second, with an extreme heterogeneity. Those receiving placebo reported headache in 10-12% of cases. No differences were detected across different vaccines or by mRNA-based vs. "traditional" ones. None of the studies reported information on headache features. A lower prevalence of headache after the first injection of BNT162b2 among older participants was shown. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that vaccines are associated to a two-fold risk of developing headache within 7 days from injection, and the lack of difference between vaccine types enable to hypothesize that headache is secondary to systemic immunological reaction than to a vaccine-type specific reaction. Some descriptions report onset within the first 24 h and that in around one-third of the cases, headache has migraine-like features with pulsating quality, phono and photophobia; in 40-60% of the cases aggravation with activity is observed. The majority of patients used some medication to treat headache, the one perceived as the most effective being acetylsalicylic acid.

Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in the 4 phases of the migraine cycle in episodic migraine patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cervical musculoskeletal impairments during the 4 phases of a migraine cycle in episodic migraine patients, controlling for the presence of concomitant neck pain. METHODS: Differences in cervical musculoskeletal impairments were assessed during the 4 migraine phases in episodic migraine patients and compared with healthy controls controlling for concomitant neck pain. Cervical musculoskeletal impairments were assessed as follow: cervical active range of motion; flexion rotation test; craniocervical flexion test and calculation of activation pressure score; the total number of myofascial trigger points in head/neck muscles; the number of positivevertebral segments (headache's reproduction) during passive accessory intervertebral movement; pressure pain thresholds over C1, C2, C4, C6 vertebral segments bilaterally, trigeminal area, hand, and leg. Signs of pain sensitization were assessed by evaluating mechanical pain threshold over trigeminal area and hand, pressure pain thresholds, and the wind-up ratio. The Bonferroni-corrected p-value (05/4 = 0.013) was adopted to assess the difference between groups, while a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant for the correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients and 52 controls were included. Flexion rotation test and craniocervical flexion test were reduced in all 4 phases of the migraine cycle versus healthy controls (p < 0.001). The number of myofascial trigger points and positive vertebral segments was increased in all 4 phases of the migraine cycle versus healthy controls (p < 0.001). Flexion, extension, and total cervical active range of motion and cervical pressure pain thresholds were reduced in episodic migraine in the ictal phase versus controls (p < 0.007) with no other significant differences. Outside the ictal phase, the total cervical active range of motion was positively correlated with trigeminal and leg pressure pain threshold (p < 0.026), the number of active myofascial trigger points and positive positive vertebral segments were positively correlated with higher headache frequency (p=0.045), longer headache duration (p < 0.008), and with headache-related disability (p = 0.031). Cervical pressure pain thresholds were positively correlated with trigeminal, hand, and leg pressure pain threshold (p < 0.001), and trigeminal and leg mechanical pain thresholds (p < 0.005), and negatively correlated with the wind-up ratio (p < 0.004). CONCLUSION: In all phases of the migraine cycle, independent of the presence of concomitant neck pain, episodic migraine patients showed reduced flexion rotation test and craniocervical flexion test and an increased number of myofascial trigger points and passive accessory vertebral segments. These impairments are correlated with enhanced headache duration, headache-related disability, and signs of widespread pain sensitization. Reduction in active cervical movement and increased mechanical hyperalgesia of the cervical was consistent in ictal episodic migraine patients and the subgroups of episodic migraine patients with more pronounced widespread sensitization.

Trigeminal and cervical sensitization during the four phases of the migraine cycle in patients with episodic migraine.

OBJECTIVE: Assessing mechanical pain thresholds from trigeminal, cervical, and distal pain-free areas during the four phases of a migraine cycle in patients with episodic migraine (EM). METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Parma and Genoa's Headache Centers assessed quantitative sensory tests during the four migraine phases in patients with EM compared to controls. Temporal summation of pain (TSP), static pressure pain threshold (sPPT), and mechanical pinprick pain threshold (MPT) were assessed from the trigeminal area, sPPT and dynamic PPT (dPPT) from the cervical area, sPPT and MPT over the hand, and sPPT from the tibialis anterior. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients and 46 controls were included. TSP was facilitated in ictal EM (EM vs. controls: mean [standard deviation] 2.7 [2.0] vs. 1.4 [1.8]; p = 0.004); trigeminal sPPT and MPT were reduced in interictal (sPPT: 198.5 [79.3] kPa; p = 0.021; MPT: 12.6 [15.7] g; p = 0.001), preictal (sPPT: 200.6 [71.6] kPa; p = 0.033; MPT: 10.7 [12.4] g; p < 0.001), ictal (sPPT: 171.4 [95.9] kPa; p < 0.001; MPT: 7.3 [12.0] g; p < 0.001), and postictal EM (sPPT: 182.2 [76.3] kPa; p = 0.006; MPT: 10.1 [14.9] g; p = 0.001), compared to controls (sPPT: 238.3 [73.8] kPa; MPT: 21.9 [17.3] g). Cervical sPPTs and dPPT were reduced in interictal (sPPT upper cervical spine: 420.5 [176.7] kPa; p = 0.031; sPPT lower cervical spine: 458.6 [207.3] kPa; p = 0.002; dPPT: 4826.5 [2698.0] g; p < 0.001), preictal (sPPT upper cervical spine: 389.3 [133.4] kPa; p = 0.006; sPPT lower cervical spine: 450.8 [174.3] kPa; p = 0.005; dPPT: 4184.2 [2628.3] g; p < 0.001), ictal (sPPT upper cervical spine: 379.9 [205.6] kPa p = 0.003; sPPT lower cervical spine: 436.3 [271.1] kPa; p = 0.001; dPPT: 3838.3 [2638.7] g; p < 0.001), and postictal EM (sPPT upper cervical spine: 385.5 [131.6] kPa; p = 0.020; sPPT lower cervical spine: 413.0 [150.3] kPa; p = 0.002; dPPT: 4679.6 [2894.9] g; p = 0.001), compared to controls (sPPT upper cervical spine: 494.9 [171.5] kPa; sPPT lower cervical spine: 586.9 [210.8] kPa; dPPT: 7693.9 [2896.8] g). Preictal EM had reduced hand sPPT and MPT (sPPT: 248.8 [96.6] kPa vs. 319.8 [112.3] kPa; p = 0.006; MPT: 23.6 [12.2] g vs. 32.5 [14.4] g; p = 0.035), while EM in the other phases showed reduction in hand MPT (interictal: 22.3 [15.6] g vs. 32.5 [14.4] g; p = 0.002; ictal: 22.4 [17.0] g vs. 32.5 [14.4] g; p = 0.004; postictal: 24.2 [18.8] g vs. 32.5 [14.4] g; p = 0.003) without significant reduction in hand sPPT. No difference in sPPT over the tibialis anterior was found. Hand MPT was negatively correlated with longer disease duration (r = -0.25; p = 0.011) and hand sPPT was negatively correlated with higher drug usage (r = -0.31; p = 0.002). TSP during the ictal phase was positively correlated with the physical (r = 0.38; p = 0.040) and emotional headache-related disability (r = 0.53; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In all phases of the migraine cycle, patients with EM show signs of sensitization in the trigeminocervical area, with patients with the most prominent sensitization in the ictal phase. Signs of widespread sensitization were consistent in the preictal phase in patients with EM and in the subgroups of patients with EM with the longest disease duration and more usage of symptomatic drugs.

Identifying Clinical and MRI Characteristics Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Prognostic Factors for Long-Term.

BACKGROUND: Associated lesions in the diagnostic MRI may be related to worse long-term subjective outcomes. There is a lack of conclusive information about the long-term outcomes of associated injuries in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term effects of associated injuries in ACL tears measured by means of a quality of life (QOL) assessment. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 225 consecutive patients admitted for physical therapy with ACL injury (42 ± 12 years, 28.2% female) were conducted. All demographic and clinical variables were used to measure a QOL. Univariate and multivariable analyses were completed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8.4 ± 2.6 years. In univariate analysis, male gender, and sports as the cause of the ACL lesion were factors significantly associated with improved International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores at the end of follow-up (all p < 0.002). In multivariable analysis, the occurrence of bone contusion was positively associated with injury (OR = 2.12) and negatively associated with sports injury (OR = 0.44) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury (OR = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: After ACL injury, male gender and sports injury were associated with better clinical outcomes.

Disability, burden, and symptoms related to sensitization in migraine patients associate with headache frequency.

OBJECTIVES: This observational study aimed to assess the difference in disability, burden, and sensitization between migraine patients with low-frequency headache attack (1-8 headache days/month), high-frequency headache attack (9-14 headache days/months), and patients with chronic migraine (>14 headache days/months). METHODS: Migraine patients with or without aura were divided into three groups according to headache frequency (low-frequency episodic migraine; high-frequency episodic migraine; chronic migraine). Questionnaires were used to assess the burden of headache, quality of life, phycological burden, and symptoms related to sensitization (estimated by the Central Sensitization Inventory). Differences among migraine groups were assessed using Chi-Quadro test, ANOVA, or Kruskal-Wallis as appropriate. RESULTS: 136 patients were included (68 low-frequency episodic migraine, 45 high-frequency episodic migraine, 23 chronic migraine). Patients with high frequency episodic migraine and chronic migraine differed from patients with low frequency episodic migraine showing a worse burden of headache (p=0.002; p=0.002), worse level of physical (p=0.001; p<0.001) and mental (p=0.002; p=0.001) quality of life, worse level of depression (p=0.008; p=0.003), and increase presence of symptoms related to sensitization (p<0.001; p=0.003). No differences were found in any variables between patients with high-frequency episodic migraine and patients with chronic migraine (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with high-frequency episodic migraine and chronic migraine could be considered in the same segment of the migraine population, with similar degrees of disability and sensitization related symptoms.

Reliability of Sonography Measures of the Lumbar Multifidus and Transversus Abdominis during Static and Dynamic Activities in Subjects with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of ultrasound (US) thickness measurements and the muscle contraction ratio (CR) of lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis (TA) muscles in participants with and without nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). METHODS: A total of 62 participants (37 with NCLBP, 25 without NCLBP) with participated in the study. The within-day and between-day reliability of US thickness measurements and CR in a lying (supine for TA and prone for LM) and sitting positions for both muscles (sitting on a gym ball with both feet on the ground or lifting one foot off the floor) were assessed. Reliability analysis was performed with intraclass correlations (ICCs) for these two static and dynamic positions. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability was calculated to be good to high for the static position (ICC = 0.72-0.95) and the dynamic position (ICC = 0.74-0.94) sonographic measurements in both group of TA measurement. Test-retest reliability of LM measurements was good to high for the static position (ICC = 0.82-0.95) and the dynamic position (ICC = 0.85-0.97) sonographic measurements in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: US imaging is a highly reliable method for the assessment of TA and LM thickness muscles in the dynamic position in participants with and without NCLBP. The CR measures may be adequately reliable in assessing the function of the TA and LM muscles in participants with NCLBP and healthy ones.

Variables associated with use of symptomatic medication during a headache attack in individuals with tension-type headache: a European study.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological treatment of patients with tension-type headache (TTH) includes symptomatic (acute) and prophylactic (preventive) medication. No previous study has investigated variables associated to symptomatic medication intake in TTH. Our aim was to assess the association of clinical, psychological and neurophysiological outcomes with the use and timing of the use of symptomatic medication in TTH. METHODS: A longitudinal observational study was conducted. One hundred and sixty-eight (n = 168) patients with TTH participated. Pain features of the headache (intensity, frequency, duration), burden of headache (Headache Disability Inventory), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), trait/state anxiety levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and bilateral pressure pain thresholds on the temporalis, C5-C6 joint, second metacarpal and tibialis anterior were assessed. Symptomatic medication intake was also collected for a 6-months follow-up period. Differences between patients using or not using symptomatic medication, depending on self-perceived effectiveness, and time (early during an attack, i.e., the first 5 min, or when headache attack is intense) when the symptomatic medication was taken were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six (n = 136, 80%) reported symptomatic medication intake for headache (73% NSAIDs). Sixteen (12%) reported no pain relief, 81 (59%) experienced moderate relief and 39 (29%) total pain relief. Fifty-eight (43%) took 'early medication' whereas 78 (57%) took 'late medication'. Patients taking symptomatic medication in general showed lower headache frequency and lower depressive levels than those patients not taking medication. Symptomatic medication was more effective in patients with lower headache history, frequency, and duration, and lower emotional burden. No differences in pressure pain sensitivity were found depending on the self-perceived effectiveness of medication. Patients taking 'late symptomatic' medication exhibited more widespread pressure pain sensitivity than those taking 'early medication'. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the effectiveness of symptomatic medication was associated with better headache parameters (history, frequency, or duration) and lower emotional burden. Further, consuming early symptomatic medication at the beginning of a headache attack (the first 5 min) could limit widespread pressure pain sensitivity.

Gender differences in clinical and psychological variables associated with the burden of headache in tension-type headache.

Our aim was to assess gender differences in variables associated with the emotional and physical burdens of tension-type headache (TTH). Participants with TTH diagnosed according to the ICHD-III were recruited from three university-based hospitals (in Spain, Italy, Denmark) between January 2015 and June 2017. The physical/emotional headache burden was assessed with the Headache Disability Inventory (HDI-P/HDI-E, respectively). Headache features were collected with a four-week diary. Sleep quality was assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale evaluated anxiety and depressive symptom levels. Trait and state anxiety levels were evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Two hundred and twelve (28% men) participants (aged 41-48 years old) participated. Multiple regression models revealed that sleep quality explained 36.7% of the variance of HDI-E and 31.1% of the variance of HDI-P in men, whereas headache intensity, depressive levels, and younger age explained 37.5% of the variance of HDI-E and 32.8% of the variance of HDI-P in women (all p < .001). This study observed gender differences in variables associated with headache burden in TTH. Management of men with TTH should focus on interventions targeting sleep quality, whereas the management of women with TTH should combine psychological approaches and interventions targeting pain mechanisms.

Widespread Pressure Pain Hypersensitivity, Health History, and Trigger Points in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Pain sensitivity in chronic neck pain patients may be influenced by health conditions related to higher levels of widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity (sensitization). Trigger points have also been reported to play a role in the sensitization process. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between pressure pain thresholds, trigger points, and health conditions in patients with chronic neck pain. DESIGN: Original research, preliminary study. SETTING: A private clinic. SUBJECTS: Thirty-four chronic mechanical neck pain patients and 34 chronic whiplash-associated neck pain patients, giving a final sample of 68 chronic neck pain patients. METHODS: Patients underwent an assessment of pressure pain thresholds over the upper trapezius, extensor carpi radialis longus, and tibialis anterior muscles and were screened for the presence of trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Further, information about health history conditions was obtained and collected in a form. RESULTS: Significantly negative correlations between all pressure pain thresholds and duration of health history conditions were found (all P < 0.02). Significantly lower pressure pain thresholds (all P < 0.01) were found in patients with active trigger points as compared with those with latent trigger points. CONCLUSION: Widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity was associated with duration of health history conditions, suggesting that long-lasting health complaints may act as a triggering/perpetuating factor, driving sensitization in individuals with chronic neck pain. Active trigger points may be associated with higher widespread pressure hypersensitivity.

Variables Associated With the Use of Prophylactic Amitriptyline Treatment in Patients With Tension-type Headache.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate differences in clinical, psychological, and psychophysical outcomes according to use of prophylactic medication (amitriptyline) in tension-type headache (TTH). METHODS: In total, 173 individuals with TTH participated. Headache features and symptomatic medication intake were collected with a 4-weeks headache diary at baseline and at 6-months. Burden of headache (Headache Disability Inventory-HDI), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS), and trait/state anxiety levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-STAI) were also assessed at baseline. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed over the temporalis, C5-C6 joint, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior at baseline. Differences between participants taking or not taking prophylactic medication based on self-perceived effectiveness of the medication on headache characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 49 (28%) reported taking prophylactic medication for the headaches (amitriptyline: 100%). From these, 11 (23%) reported no effect, 25 (51%) reported moderate effect, and 13 (26%) reported positive effect with medication. Patients taking prophylactic medication had longer headache history, higher frequency of headaches (61% CTTH), higher headache burden, worse quality of sleep, and higher depression than those not taking medication. Prophylactic medication was less effective in patients with generalized pressure pain hyperalgesia. No other significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic medication is used by TTH patients with higher headache frequency, higher headache burden, worse sleep quality, and higher depression. Lower effectiveness of prophylactic amitriptyline was associated with widespread pain hyperalgesia.

Variables associated with sleep quality in chronic tension-type headache: A cross-sectional and longitudinal design.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate variables associated at baseline (cross-sectional design) and at one year (longitudinal design) with the quality of sleep in chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). METHODS: One hundred and eighty (n = 180) and 135 individuals with CTTH participated in the cross-sectional and longitudinal design respectively. Clinical features were collected with a 4-weeks headache diary at baseline and one-year follow-up. Sleep quality was assessed at baseline and 1-year follow-up with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS), burden of headache (Headache Disability Inventory-HDI), quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire), and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at trigeminal, extra-trigeminal and widespread area were assessed at baseline. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between variables at baseline and 1-year follow-up with sleep quality. RESULTS: At baseline positive correlations between sleep quality and headache intensity, headache frequency, headache duration, emotional and physical burden of headache and depression were observed. The regression analyses found that depression and emotional burden of headache explained 27.5% of the variance in sleep quality at baseline (r2 = .262; F = 23.72 P < .001). At one-year, sleep quality was significantly associated with baseline burden of headache, depression, widespread PPTs, vitality and mental health domains. Regression analyses revealed that vitality, PPT over the second metacarpal and PPT over the neck explained 30.0% of the variance of sleep quality at one-year (r2 = .269, F = 9.71, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that sleep quality exhibits a complex interaction in individuals with CTTH since depression and the emotional burden were associated with sleep quality at baseline, but vitality and PPTs over extra-trigeminal areas were associated with the quality of sleep at one-year.