Tension type headache: a neuropsychological and neurophysiological study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychology

Background:

• Personality profiles of migraine headache (MH) and tension-type headache (TTH) patients have been previously studied using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).
• Understanding personality's role in headache disorders is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate personality profile changes in MH and TTH patients after treatment.
• To investigate the relationship between personality, depression, and headache characteristics.
• To differentiate muscle activity patterns between MH, TTH, and healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• Administration of the MMPI to MH and TTH patients before and after treatment.
• Assessment of clinical improvement and depression scale scores.
• Computerized electromyography (EMG) recording of neck muscle activity during rest, stress, and maximal activity.

Main Results:

• TTH patients without clinical improvement showed higher depression scores post-treatment.
• MH patients exhibited consistent depression scores before and after therapy, suggesting depression's primary role in their pain onset.
• Distinct neck muscle activity patterns were observed in TTH patients compared to MH patients and normal subjects.

Conclusions:

• Depression appears to be a primary factor in the onset of migraine headaches.
• Treatment outcomes for TTH may be linked to depression levels.
• Differences in neck muscle activity patterns exist between TTH, MH, and healthy individuals, warranting further investigation.