A longitudinal study of balance in migraineurs

Abstract

After 1 year migraineurs showed a slight but statistically significant deterioration: in postural sway especially, when measured with eyes closed standing on a foam surface with the head extended backwards; in reaction time; and in maximal excursion on the limits of the stability test; and perhaps in walk speed and step width on the tandem walk test.

Balance Impairments in Different Subgroups of Patients With Migraine

“…1,39 However, the effects of dizziness on the postural control of migraineurs remain controversial. 27 Akdal et al 23 found differences among migraineurs and control subjects in the FoamOE testing condition of the mSOT, while our results found no difference between the results in the control group and the migraine group without aura for this test. However, the same was not evidenced by Furman et al, 9 Panichi et al 26 nor Ongun et al 25 Our study shows a high prevalence of dizziness at the ictal period in migraineurs without aura (43%), migraineurs with aura (43%) and in subjects with chronic migraine (49%), without significant differences among the groups.…”

“…[16][17][18] The extension of the subclinical ischemic-like lesions is not correlated with the subjects' age, 19 but rather shows a positive correlation with the presence of aura, 20,21 with disease duration, and with the frequency of pain episodes. 4 Among the abnormalities, deficits at the semi-static balance control, 2,5,[9][10][11]15,[23][24][25][26] changes of stability limits, 23,27 reduced gait and tandem gait velocities are reported. 4 Among the abnormalities, deficits at the semi-static balance control, 2,5,[9][10][11]15,[23][24][25][26] changes of stability limits, 23,27 reduced gait and tandem gait velocities are reported.…”

Neuro-otology- some recent clinical advances

“…There are now official criteria for the diagnosis of VM [64, 67], even though many migraineurs have other, unofficial, balance problems, such as chronic subjective dizziness [68], motion sensitivity [69], motion sickness [70], constant rocking sensations (mal-de-debarquement) [71], room-tilt illusion [45], and generalized imbalance [72]. And, perhaps as a consequence of the vertigo attacks, VM patients have psychological problems such as anxiety [73], panic attacks [74], and phobias [75].…”

Isolated Vestibular Suppression Impairment With Vestibular Migraine

“…In general, VM is part of the broader migraine syndrome and the patient also suffers from migraine with aura. Cerebellar eye movement and impaired balance have also been described in migraine without vertigo (25,26). The role of the cerebellum in migraine warrants further study.…”