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Examining the stress response and recovery among children with migraine

Debra Huss1, Karen Derefinko, Richard Milich

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0044, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|October 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Children with migraine show heightened physiological responses and slower recovery from stress compared to healthy peers. Anxiety levels influenced these differences, suggesting a role in migraine pathophysiology.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neurology
  • Autonomic nervous system function
  • Psychophysiology

Background:

  • Migraine is a common neurological disorder in children.
  • Understanding the physiological underpinnings of pediatric migraine is crucial for effective management.
  • Autonomic nervous system dysregulation may play a role in migraine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare physiological responses to emotional stress in children with and without migraine.
  • To investigate the role of anxiety in the physiological differences observed.

Main Methods:

  • Physiological measures (heart rate, blood pressure) and psychological assessments were conducted in children with pediatric migraine and healthy controls.
  • Measures were taken at rest, during emotional stress, and during recovery.
  • Anxiety was analyzed as a covariate.

Main Results:

  • Children with migraine had higher resting pulse rates.
  • Migraineurs showed elevated diastolic blood pressure and a higher low-frequency/high-frequency ratio post-stress.
  • These group differences diminished when anxiety was controlled for.

Conclusions:

  • Children with migraine exhibit altered autonomic nervous system function, including elevated arousal and prolonged recovery from stress.
  • Anxiety appears to mediate some of the observed physiological differences.
  • Findings suggest potential therapeutic targets related to stress response and anxiety management in pediatric migraine.
Abstract

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