Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Complaints Among Young Adults With Migraine

Abstract

Aim Migraine is widely recognized as one of the most disabling neurological conditions, often accompanied by recurrent headache attacks along with disruptions in sleep and cognitive function. While previous studies have assessed sleep deficits and mental impairments in individuals with migraine, limited attention has been given to the intricate relationship between these variables, particularly in young adults. This study explores the association between sleep quality and cognitive complaints in individuals experiencing migraine, alongside an evaluation of migraine severity and caffeine consumption. Methods This cross-sectional study took place between December 2024 and March 2025 in Pakistan. A total of 300 participants aged 18 to 35 years with a prior clinical diagnosis of migraine were included. Participants completed a questionnaire containing scales that measured the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) alongside Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). Statistical assessments through Pearson’s correlation and ANOVA together with chi-square and linear regression testing were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results The study indicated that migraine symptoms occurred in 226 (75%) of participants who also demonstrated sleep disorders at a rate of 167 (56%). The research established a strong positive connection between insufficient sleep quality and mental failures (r = 0.465, p < 0.01). Individuals who were between 27 and 30 years old and suffered from intense migraine symptoms experienced the worst sleep quality. People who consumed caffeine only occasionally reported the poorest sleep results (M = 120.1, SD = 24.9) along with the maximum cognitive failure outcomes (M = 77.8, SD = 19.7). The result of regression analysis showed sleep quality functioning as a crucial factor that predicts cognitive failure (β = 0.46, p < 0.01). The use of caffeine and the length of migraine episodes both demonstrated statistically significant links to both intense pain levels and sleep disruption impacts. Conclusion This research shows that migraine patients between 18 and 35 years old develop more cognitive issues because of their inadequate sleep patterns. Additional factors like occasional caffeine use along with stronger migraine pain levels combine to worsen sleep problems which call for specific therapeutic measures that combine behavior-based sleep strategies and limited caffeine intake. Future research based on objective sleep assessment needs to study this connection over time to validate these findings for clinical migraine care improvements.