Reduced flexion rotation test in women with chronic and episodic migraine

OBJECTIVE: To compare flexion rotation test and global active cervical mobility in women with chronic migraine, episodic migraine, and headache-free controls. The influence of neck pain-related disability on the flexion rotation test was also analyzed. METHODS: Women with chronic migraine (n=25), episodic migraine (n=30), and those who were headache-free (n=30) were evaluated. Upper cervical mobility was measured using the flexion rotation test and global active mobility was assessed using the cervical range of motion device. Neck pain related-disability was assessed using the Neck Disability Index. Statistical analyses were performed using a MANOVA test, prevalence ratios, and linear regression. CONCLUSION: Women with migraine have a lower upper cervical range of motion than headache-free women. Women with chronic migraine demonstrated reduced global cervical range of motion when compared to headache-free women. Migraine was associated with in increased likelihood of a positive Flexion Rotation Test. Reduction in mobility was influenced by migraine frequency and disability-related neck pain.