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Headache related to a specific screen flickering frequency band
P A Kowacs1, E J Piovesan, L C Werneck
1Headache Unit, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. cefaleia@hc.ufpr.br
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|April 21, 2004
Summary
Computer screens can trigger migraines. Adjusting screen frequency from 60 to 75 Hz resolved headaches in one patient, suggesting a non-drug approach for migraine prevention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Migrainous headaches are a common neurological disorder.
- Environmental factors, including computer screens, are frequently reported migraine triggers.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old male experienced migrainous headaches exclusively when using his personal computer.
- Headaches ceased after altering the computer screen's refresh rate.
Findings:
- Modifying the computer screen frequency from 60 Hz to 75 Hz abolished the patient's headaches.
- This suggests a potential link between screen flicker and migraine susceptibility.
Implications:
- Altering light source frequencies, like computer screens, may offer a non-pharmacological migraine prevention strategy.
- Further research into flicker fusion thresholds in migraineurs could elucidate this environmental trigger.