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Updated: Jun 20, 2025
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
Migraine epidemiology in collegiate student-athletes: Findings from the Concussion Assessment, Research, and
Karlee N Burns1, Huaqing Zhao2, Christina Master3
1Department of Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Objective:
This cross-sectional study evaluated de-identified data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense Grand Alliance from 2014 to 2020 to determine the prevalence of migraine and migraine medication and to describe differences in migraine prevalence by sex, race, and sport.
Background:
Epidemiological studies can help identify underdiagnosed and undertreated populations. Understanding migraine prevalence in collegiate student-athletes is essential for positive healthcare outcomes including development of prevention and treatment plans.
Methods:
From a concussion baseline assessment, participant's self-reported demographics (e.g., age, sex, sport), migraine diagnosis (i.e., yes/no), and migraine medication usage (e.g., yes/no, type) determined prevalence of migraine and medication use in collegiate student-athletes.
Results:
Migraine was reported in 5.6% (2617/47,060; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.4%-5.8%) of the student-athletes, with higher prevalence in females, 7.5% (1319/17,628; 95% CI 7.1%-7.9%), than males, 4.6% (1298/28,116; 95% CI 4.4%-4.9%). Medication usage was reported by 36.2% (947/2617; 95% CI 34.3%-38.0%) of individuals with migraine. Migraine reporting differed by race, with Caucasian reporting highest (5.9%; 1990/33,913; 95% CI 5.6%-6.1%) and Asian the lowest (2.7%; 55/2027; 95% CI 2.1%-3.5%). Women's sports, including golf, gymnastics, and lacrosse, and men's diving and squash had higher migraine reporting than other sports.
Conclusion:
Caucasian females reported higher rates than other groups and sport influenced rates of migraine diagnosis.
