Does cognitive dysfunction correlate with dizziness severity in patients with vestibular migraine?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Vestibular migraine (VM) is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent vestibular symptoms and migraine aura.
• Cognitive dysfunction is frequently reported in VM patients, but its relationship with dizziness severity requires further characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between dizziness severity and cognitive dysfunction in patients with vestibular migraine.
• To evaluate the impact of multidisciplinary treatment on both dizziness and cognitive function in VM.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of definite vestibular migraine patients (n=44) were assessed using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) pre- and post-treatment.
• Statistical analyses were performed to compare scores and assess correlations between DHI and CFQ measures.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in both DHI (11.96 points) and CFQ (4.57 points) scores were observed post-treatment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively).
• Pre- and post-treatment DHI scores strongly correlated with corresponding CFQ scores (r = 0.537 and r = 0.667, p < 0.001).
• The change in DHI score also correlated with the change in CFQ score (r = 0.351, p = 0.019).

Conclusions:

• Cognitive dysfunction is significantly associated with dizziness severity in vestibular migraine patients.
• Multidisciplinary treatment for VM leads to improvements in both dizziness and cognitive function.
• The Dizziness Handicap Inventory may not comprehensively assess cognitive deficits in VM patients.