Migraine and Trauma-Informed Care: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Clinical Practice and Research

This article reviews recent literature on the association between migraine and trauma, particularly adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). It makes recommendations for research and clinical practice.

ACEs are prevalent and associated with lifetime morbidity and mortality. Observational studies have elucidated the association between migraine and ACEs. Emerging literature highlights a dose-dependent relationship between incident migraine and ACEs. ACEs have been linked with migraine-related outcomes in both children and adolescents as well as adults. However, the mechanisms linking ACEs to migraine remain poorly understood. Principles of, and approaches to, trauma-informed care in other populations can be drawn from, expanded, and extended to the context of migraine. We highlight the need for trauma-informed clinical care. We provide specific suggestions for how clinicians can integrate trauma-informed approaches in their clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. Finally, we make recommendations on how the field can advance research.