The effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on headache‐related disability among young adults with migraine

Abstract

Objective The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the COVID‐19 pandemic and headache‐related disability among a sample of young adults with migraine. Background Comorbid psychological symptoms compound migraine‐related disability. Due to COVID‐19 pandemic procedures, many students experienced institutional closures and corresponding increases in depression, stress, and anxiety. The present study sought to examine changes in headache‐related disability before (Spring and Fall of 2019) and during (Fall of 2020 and Spring 2021) the COVID‐19 pandemic and whether psychological symptoms mediated such changes. Methods A cross‐sectional study at a southern U.S. university assessed 365 individuals with migraine on headache and psychological variables, comparing those surveyed before COVID‐19 with another group surveyed during the pandemic. The direct and indirect effects of COVID‐19 status (pre‐ versus during COVID‐19) on headache‐related disability through depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were assessed. Results Statistically higher levels of depression, (M = 13.9 [SD = 12.2] vs. M = 8.7 [SD = 8.7], p < 0.001), anxiety (12.3 [10.0] vs. 9.7 [8.2], p = 0.01), and stress symptoms (17.6 [10.2] vs. 13.2 [7.9], p < 0.001) were endorsed during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The direct path from COVID‐19 status to headache‐related disability was significant and negative, c′ = −1.6 (95% CI: −3.1, −0.1). Anxiety (b = 0.3 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.9]) and depression (b = 0.7 [95% CI: 0.07, 1.4]) symptoms acted as mediators of this relationship, rendering the total effect nonsignificant and negating the lowered disability observed during the pandemic. Only depression symptoms remained a significant mediator after controlling for headache frequency (b = 0.7 [95% CI: 0.09, 1.4]). Conclusions Increased depression and anxiety symptoms attenuated the improvements in disability associated with the pandemic. As such, interventions that address comorbid psychological symptoms may hold value in reducing headache‐related disability and improving outcomes for young adults whose headache developed or worsened during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Real-world observations and impacts of Chinese herbal medicine for migraine: results of a registry-based cohort study

“…In addition, a minimum duration of CHM treatment for 28 days appears to be beneficial for reducing migraine-comorbid anxiety, and preventing the worsening of insomnia, but it has limited effect on depression. However, it is important to note that depression and insomnia might have been affected by the stress caused by the unanticipated COVID-19 pandemic ( Suzuki et al, 2021 ; Buse et al, 2022 ; Thaxter and Smitherman, 2022 ), which was not systematically assessed in this study. Clinical evidence has found that several CHM formulae were effective in controlling anxiety, depression and insomnia, either as independent conditions or as comorbidities of other conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.…”

Headache and psychological variables as predictors of disability in individuals with primary headache disorders

“…This is a secondary analysis of data collected as part of an ongoing internet-based study examining physical health and psychological variables among young adults enrolled at a southern university. 20,28 The current cross-sectional study included data from those who completed the battery between Spring 2017 and Spring 2021 semesters and received modest course credit for their participation.…”

Attackenangst bei Migräne: Diagnostik und Behandlung

“…B. [ 13 , 36 ]), wenngleich sich durchaus auch positive Effekte im Sinne einer reduzierten Kopfschmerzaktivität (z. B. durch geringere Stressbelastung, Abnahme von Reizdichte) beobachten ließen [ 10 ].…”