Premorbid Primary Headache and Vestibular and Oculomotor Baseline Assessments in Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Objective:The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of premorbid headache status on vestibular and oculomotor baseline tests in collegiate club athletes.Design:Retrospective case–control study.Setting:Sport Concussion Laboratory.Patients (or Participants):Collegiate club athletes with a self-reported premorbid headache history (n = 32, 19.50 ± 1.98 years, and 31% women) and age–sex–sport–matched controls (n = 32, 19.56 ± 1.47 years, and 31% women) without a self-reported headache history were included.Interventions:Participants were grouped based on a self-reported headache history at baseline. Controls were randomly matched to self-reported headache participants by age, sex, and sport.Main Outcome Measures:Vestibular/ocular motor screen (VOMS) baseline symptoms, symptom provocation, near point of convergence (NPC) distance, and King–Devick (K-D) test time were compared between groups.Results:Athletes with a self-reported headache history at baseline are 3.82 times more likely to have abnormal NPC scores (P = 0.032) and 4.76 times more likely to have abnormal K-D test times (P = 0.014) than those without a headache history. There was no difference in VOMS baseline symptoms or symptom provocation between groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Club collegiate athletes with a headache history were more likely to screen as abnormal during a vestibular/ocular motor function assessment than athletes without a history of headaches. Healthcare professionals should screen for pre-existing headache during baseline concussion assessments before test interpretation.Clinical Relevance:A premorbid headache history at preseason baseline assessment may influence vestibular and oculomotor function, and care should be taken when interpreting these individuals' tests.