Preinjury History of Migraine Headache: Effects on Neurocognitive Performance and Symptoms in Athletes With Concussion

A history of preinjury migraine headaches may be a predisposing factor aff ecting neurocognitive performance and symptoms following a concussion.The purpose of this study was to examine the eff ect of preinjury migraine on neurocognitive performance and concussion symptomatology in athletes with concussion.A total of 154 concussed athletes with (n = 77) and without (n = 77) a self-reported history of preinjury migraine headaches completed a neurocognitive test at baseline and at 3 and 9 days postconcussion.No diff erences were noted for interaction between time and preinjury migraine groups on verbal memory (P = .12),visual memory (P = .53),motor processing speed (P = .38),or reaction time (P = .97).A signifi cant interaction was noted between time and the preinjury migraine group for the migraine-cognitive-fatigue (P = .029)and somatic symptom (P = .006)clusters.The fi ndings did not indicate that athletes with a history of preinjury migraine headaches demonstrate greater neurocognitive declines following a concussion, compared with athletes without a history of preinjury migraine headaches.