Upper Extremity Function and Neuromuscular Parameters in Primary Headaches: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: To investigate the upper extremity function, muscle strength, endurance, and proprioception in patients with primary headache compared to healthy controls. Materials and Methods: The study was completed with 37 patients with primary headache (22 patients with tension-type headache and 15 patients with migraine) and 36 healthy controls with matched age and gender. Headache severity was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS); upper extremity function with Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT); upper extremity isometric muscle strength of shoulder flexor, extensor, and elbow flexor with a hand-held dynamometer; upper extremity endurance with 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT); and upper extremity proprioception with shoulder reposition tests using Dualer IQTM digital inclinometer. Intergroup differences were examined using the Mann-Whitney U Test, and the Spearman correlation analysis was used to ascertain the relationship between the variables in headache groups. Results: There was a significant difference between the results for the 9-HPT, some upper extremity isometric muscle strength tests, 6PBRT, and shoulder reposition tests between patients with tension-type headache, migraine, and healthy controls (p<0.05). Except for the 9-HPT and 6PBRT (r between -0.518 and -0.645; p<0.05 for all), there was no significant relationship between the results for patients with tension type and migraine (p>0.05). Conclusion: Upper extremity function, some upper extremity muscle strength parameters, endurance, and proprioception were decreased in patients with tension-type headache and migraine compared to healthy controls, and upper extremity function was found to be associated with upper extremity endurance in these patients.