Central sensitization, work-related stress, and musculoskeletal pain symptoms in desk-based workers with and without migraine: a cross-sectional study

Migraine can impair productivity, work performance, and daily functioning in working-age adults. While higher Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) scores have been observed in migraine chronicity, work-related stress, and musculoskeletal pain are also common among desk-based workers and may play a role in exacerbating migraine symptoms. However, these factors have rarely been studied together in this population. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare central sensitization, work-related stress, and musculoskeletal pain symptoms in desk-based workers with and without migraine, to examine the relationships among them, and to identify the determinants of central sensitization in individuals with migraine. This cross-sectional study included 228 desk-based workers: a control group (CG) without migraine ( n = 84), episodic migraine (EM) ( n = 74), and chronic migraine (CM) ( n = 70). Participants completed the CSI, General Work Stress Scale (GWSS), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). Group comparisons were performed using ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Spearman coefficients were used in correlation analyses. Multiple linear regression was applied to identify factors associated with CSI. Both migraine groups scored higher on the CSI compared to the CG ( p < 0.001), with CM showing the highest CSI scores. This difference remained significant after adjusting for confounders. GWSS scores were also higher in both migraine groups than the CG ( p < 0.001) and remained significant after adjustment. NMQ;3-items were significantly higher in the migraine groups compared to the CG ( p ≤ 0.005), independent of confounders. In the migraine groups, higher CSI scores showed a positive correlation with GWSS, MIDAS, HIT-6, and NMQ. In multiple linear regression analysis, GWSS (β = 0.380), number of painful body regions during the past 12 months (β = 0.382), MIDAS (β = 0.230), and the number of headache days per month (β = 0.170) were identified as variables independently associated with CSI scores (all p < 0.05). Desk-based workers with migraine had higher central sensitization, greater work-related stress, and more widespread musculoskeletal pain symptoms compared to those without migraine. In desk-based workers with migraine, central sensitization was more pronounced in CM than EM, suggesting a potential role in migraine chronicity. These findings support multifaceted management strategies for desk-based workers with migraine, including headache-stress management, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and Sustainable Development Goal-3, “to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.” NCT07554664 (registration date: 21.04.2026).