Does POSTURE effect those suffering with CHRONIC MIGRAINE?

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Get FORMED: 

The craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) is used to quantify dynamic function of the deep neck flexors.  This study sought to quantify activation of the superficial cervical extensors as a compensatory pattern in patients suffering with EPISODIC MIGRAINE (ICHD-3, primary HA’s, 1.2) versus CHRONIC MIGRAINE (ICHD-3, primary HA’s, 1.3), in comparison with healthy controls.  Surface EMG signals were recorded bilaterally from the following muscles as participants performed the CCFT:

  1. SCM
  2. Anterior scalene (AS)
  3. Splenius capitis (SC)
  4. Upper Trapezius (UT)

The SC was more active in both migraine groups.  Subjects with chronic migraine and a greater forward head posture (increased craniovertebral angle) demonstrated greater activation of the UT during the early stages of the CCFT and greater activation of the SC in the later stages of the CCFT.

The inferred conclusion is that posture makes a greater difference in EMG activation of the SC and UT in chronic migraine sufferers.

 2019 Feb 8.

Analysis of Head Posture and Activation of the Cervical Neck Extensors During a Low-Load Task in Women With Chronic Migraine and Healthy Participants.

Florencio LL1, Ferracni GN2, Chaves TC2, Palacios-Ceña M3, Ordás-Bandera C4, Speciali JG2, Grossi DB1, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C5.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between head and neck posture and superficial neck flexor and extensor activity during performance of the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) in women with migraine and healthy controls.

METHODS:

Fifty-two women with episodic migraine, 16 with chronic migraine, and 23 healthy controls participated. Head and neck posture were determined by assessing the craniovertebral (CV) angle and cervical lordosis angle. Surface electromyography signals were recorded bilaterally from sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, splenius capitis, and upper trapezius muscles as participants performed the CCFT. Differences in electromyogram activity and posture among groups were compared with analyses of variance. Correlations between posture and electromyogram activity were analyzed with the Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS:

Both migraine groups had a significant increase in splenius capitis muscle activity, when acting as an antagonist, at the last stage of CCFT (F = 4.687; P = .012) compared with controls. No differences among groups were observed for head and neck posture. No significant correlation was found in the episodic migraine group. Moderate correlations between the CV angle and upper trapezius activity at the majority stages of the CCFT (-0.61 < r < -0.65, all P < .05) were observed within the chronic migraine group: the more extended the head posture, the higher the activity of the upper trapezius muscle. The CV angle also was correlated with upper trapezius muscle activity at the first stage of the CCFT and with splenius capitis muscle activity at the last stages (-0.42 < r < -0.52; P < .05).

CONCLUSION:

An extended (forward) head posture was moderately correlated with an increased in electrical activity of superficial neck extensor muscles, particularly the upper trapezius, when acting as an antagonist, during the performance of the CCFT in women with chronic but not episodic migraine.

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