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

Abstract

A history of preinjury migraine headaches may be a predisposing factor affecting neurocognitive performance and symptoms following a concussion. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect 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 differences 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 significant interaction was noted between time and the preinjury migraine group for the migraine-cognitive-fatigue (P = .029) and somatic symptom (P = .006) clusters. The findings 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. [Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 2014;6(5):220-227.] ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR