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Balance disorders in headache patients: evaluation by computerized static stabilometry.
C Rossi1, A Alberti, P Sarchielli
1Headache Center - Department of Neuroscience, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. headache@unipg.it
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|May 7, 2005
Summary
Equilibrium disturbances are common in headache patients, affecting 67.2%. Migraine patients show central oculomotor control issues, while tension-type headache patients exhibit peripheral proprioceptive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vestibular System
- Headache Disorders
Background:
- Headache disorders, including migraine and tension-type headache, are prevalent conditions.
- Equilibrium disturbances can significantly impact a patient's quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate equilibrium disturbances in patients with migraine without aura (MwoA) and tension-type headache (TTH) during the interictal period.
- To differentiate the underlying mechanisms of these disturbances using computerized static stabilometry.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-seven patients were assessed: 35 MwoA, 12 MwoA + episodic TTH (ETTH), and 20 TTH (10 ETTH, 10 chronic TTH - CTTH).
- Stabilometry included parameters like statokinesigram length and surface under various conditions: eyes open/closed, with/without occlusal bite, head retroflexion, and optokinetic stimulation.
Main Results:
- 67.2% of patients (45/67) exhibited at least one stabilometric parameter alteration.
- Alterations were observed in 21 MwoA, 8 MwoA + ETTH, and 16 TTH patients (8 ETTH, 8 CTTH).
Conclusions:
- Tension-type headache patients displayed peripheral proprioceptive alterations, likely due to cervicofacial muscle contraction.
- Migraine patients showed impaired involuntary oculomotor control of central origin, particularly under optokinetic stimulation.