Exploring multidimensional characteristics in cervicogenic headache: Relations between pain processing, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors

Sarah Mingels; Wim Dankaerts; Ludo van Etten; Liesbeth Bruckers; Marita Granitzer

doi:10.1002/brb3.2339

Exploring multidimensional characteristics in cervicogenic headache: Relations between pain processing, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors

Brain Behav. 2021 Oct;11(10):e2339. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2339. Epub 2021 Sep 2.

Authors

Sarah Mingels¹, Wim Dankaerts², Ludo van Etten³, Liesbeth Bruckers⁴, Marita Granitzer¹

Affiliations

¹ REVAL Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
² Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
³ Department of Biometrics, Zuyd Hogeschool, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.

Abstract

Objective: Although multidimensional interventions including physiotherapy, psychology, and education are generally recommended in managing headache, and to prevent chronification, such approach is lacking in cervicogenic headache (CeH). Therefore, exploring CeH within a biopsychosocial framework is deemed an essential first step.

Methods: Non-randomized cross-sectional design to compare pain processing, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics between 18 participants with CeH (CeH group) (40.2 ± 10.9 years) and 18 matched controls (control group) (39.2 ± 13.1 years). Pain processing characteristics included degree of central sensitization (Central Sensitization Inventory), and (extra)-cephalic pressure pain thresholds (kPa/cm²/s). Lifestyle characteristics included sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), physical activity, screen time, and sedentary time (hours a week). Psychosocial characteristics included degree of depression, anxiety and stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21), and quality of life (Headache Impact Test-6).

Results: Pain processing characteristics: More (p = .04) participants in the CeH group showed higher degrees of central sensitization compared to the control group. Lower (p < .05) (extra)-cephalic pressure pain thresholds were revealed in the CeH group compared to the control group for each muscle. Lifestyle and psychosocial characteristics: Compared to the control group, sleep quality and headache-related quality of life were worse (p < .0001) in the CeH group. Severe to extreme stress was experienced by more participants in the CeH group (p = .02). Further, significant relations between pain processing and (1) lifestyle characteristics and (2) psychosocial characteristics were seen in the CeH group.

Conclusion: Exploring multidimensional characteristics in CeH exposed relations between pain processing, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics. These novel findings fill a gap in the current scientific literature, and highlight the need for outcome research targeting lifestyle and psychosocial factors.

Keywords: cervicogenic headache; lifestyle; pain; psychology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cervical Vertebrae
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Life Style
Pain
Pain Measurement
Post-Traumatic Headache*
Quality of Life
Sleep Quality