BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Migraine has long been associated with unsteadiness and dizziness but postural control has not been studied in the ictal state. Here, we measured the stability of upright stance during migraine attacks.
METHODS: Static balance was assessed prospectively in migraine patients (n=30) during quiet stance for 40 s on a posturographic force platform. Recordings were performed both ictally and in the pain-free interval. Subjects were assessed under 4 different conditions yielding different visual and proprioceptive feedback environments. Both ictal and interictal data were compared with age-matched healthy controls (n=30).
RESULTS: Postural instability increased significantly under all experimental conditions during migraine attacks. While standing on a foam pad with eyes closed, median sway area was 353 mm2 in controls subjects, 318 mm2 in migraineurs in the pain-free period and 618 mm2 in the ictal state. However, Romberg and vestibular-Romberg quotients were not altered during migraine attacks. Spectral analyses of postural sway also showed similar profiles in migraineurs and controls. The severity of headache was inversely correlated to Romberg quotients.
CONCLUSIONS: The demonstrated pattern of balance disorder during migraine attacks suggests a transient cerebellar dysfunction. Our findings also indicate that intense headache induces a re-weighting of sensory processing toward less dependence on visual and proprioceptive information. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.