Stress and psychological factors before a migraine attack: A time-based analysis

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study is to examine the stress and mood changes of Japanese subjects over the 1-3 days before a migraine headache.

Reduction in perceived stress as a migraine trigger

“…These results are consistent with and extend prior research. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] In aggregate, these findings and the prior literature support the let-down hypothesis, which predicts that decline in perceived stress is associated with an increased probability of migraine onset. There are at least 2 alternative mechanisms to explain this phenomenon.…”

“…Trigger factors, measurable precipitants associated with an increased probability of an attack, can include stressful events, hormonal changes, weather changes, and certain foods, although some studies demonstrate reduced odds for migraine attacks in relation to certain variables. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In patient surveys, perceived stress was associated with migraine onset in up to 80% of respondents. [13][14][15][16] Diary studies have shown that "daily hassles" significantly increase in the 2-to 3-day period before a migraine day.…”

“…[13][14][15][16] Diary studies have shown that "daily hassles" significantly increase in the 2-to 3-day period before a migraine day. 15,16 In an electronic diary study, emotional factors including irritability and intolerance (40.0% vs 33.7%) were more common on migraine days than control days.4 Some studies have examined the effects of reduction in stress or "let-down" as a migraine trigger factor, often focused on "weekend" headache attacks.14-22 The roles of level of stress and reduction in stress as migraine triggers remain to be disentangled. Our objective was to examine the association between stress and reduction in stress on migraine attack onset in persons with migraine using electronic diaries.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Premonitory features include changes in mood or behavior that precede the onset of an attack. Trigger factors, measurable precipitants associated with an increased probability of an attack, can include stressful events, hormonal changes, weather changes, and certain foods, although some studies demonstrate reduced odds for migraine attacks in relation to certain variables.…”

“…4 Some studies have examined the effects of reduction in stress or "let-down" as a migraine trigger factor, often focused on "weekend" headache attacks. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] The roles of level of stress and reduction in stress as migraine triggers remain to be disentangled. Our objective was to examine the association between stress and reduction in stress on migraine attack onset in persons with migraine using electronic diaries.…”