Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferers
Abstract Background Globally, an estimated 14% of adults live with migraine disease which impacts their physical, emotional and social wellbeing. To target the disease comprehensively, research recommends a multidisciplinary approach to migraine management. Yet, at present, migraine management prima...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Neurology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03535-0 |
| _version_ | 1797276470827024384 |
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| author | Nicola Filzmoser Iman Webber Gabriele Kerr Aos Alaa Marie Iine El Asmar Manisha Karki Eva Riboli-Sasco Austen El-Osta |
| author_facet | Nicola Filzmoser Iman Webber Gabriele Kerr Aos Alaa Marie Iine El Asmar Manisha Karki Eva Riboli-Sasco Austen El-Osta |
| author_sort | Nicola Filzmoser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Globally, an estimated 14% of adults live with migraine disease which impacts their physical, emotional and social wellbeing. To target the disease comprehensively, research recommends a multidisciplinary approach to migraine management. Yet, at present, migraine management primarily centers around pharmaceutical treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which emotional awareness could influence the uptake of self-care behaviours of community-dwelling adults with migraine. Methods A cross-sectional online survey explored personal experiences with migraine disease and strategies or behaviours to manage migraine attacks. Chi-squared tests were used to investigate differences in ratings of migraine prevention and management strategies between users and non-users of the strategies. Univariable logistic regressions were used to assess the effectiveness of self-care behaviours to manage or prevent migraine attacks. Results We surveyed 170 community-dwelling adults with migraine in the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany and the United States. Most (85%) respondents had experienced migraine for over five years, where 42% of attacks usually lasted several days. Whereas we did not differentiate between diagnosis by a neurologist or self-diagnosis, the most common diagnoses in the cohort were migraine without aura (38.9%) and migraine with aura (29%). Staying hydrated was the most popular preventative strategy (87%), 70.2% used prescription medication and 64.9% changed their diet and/or supplements. Almost all ( 92.4%) respondents stated that their mood or emotions could trigger their migraine attacks. Keeping a headache or mood diary was the lowest-rated prevention strategy and was rated as "probably ineffective" or causing "no change" in preventing migraine attacks. Over a third (39.7%) kept track of their physical wellbeing and symptoms. Reasons stated for tracking symptoms included to identify triggers (65.8%), show reports to a healthcare professional (59.6%), understand when they must take medication (48.1%), track improvements (67.3%) or deteriorations (67.3%). Conclusions Migraine management is dominated by pharmaceutical management for acute pain attacks and lifestyle changes for managing migraine long-term. Perception of the effectiveness of those techniques is high, whereas perception of interventions that target the emotional or psychological components of chronic pain management (keeping a mood diary, and mental health support) is mixed. There exists a gap between the recommended biopsychosocial approach and the current state of migraine management. Graphical Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:28:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-61aef295c50342528887ee50d2522978 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2377 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:28:39Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Neurology |
| spelling | doaj.art-61aef295c50342528887ee50d25229782024-03-05T16:33:28ZengBMCBMC Neurology1471-23772024-01-0124111310.1186/s12883-024-03535-0Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferersNicola Filzmoser0Iman Webber1Gabriele Kerr2Aos Alaa3Marie Iine El Asmar4Manisha Karki5Eva Riboli-Sasco6Austen El-Osta7Department of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health, Self-Care Academic Research Unit (SCARU) Imperial College London, Charing Cross HospitalAbstract Background Globally, an estimated 14% of adults live with migraine disease which impacts their physical, emotional and social wellbeing. To target the disease comprehensively, research recommends a multidisciplinary approach to migraine management. Yet, at present, migraine management primarily centers around pharmaceutical treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which emotional awareness could influence the uptake of self-care behaviours of community-dwelling adults with migraine. Methods A cross-sectional online survey explored personal experiences with migraine disease and strategies or behaviours to manage migraine attacks. Chi-squared tests were used to investigate differences in ratings of migraine prevention and management strategies between users and non-users of the strategies. Univariable logistic regressions were used to assess the effectiveness of self-care behaviours to manage or prevent migraine attacks. Results We surveyed 170 community-dwelling adults with migraine in the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany and the United States. Most (85%) respondents had experienced migraine for over five years, where 42% of attacks usually lasted several days. Whereas we did not differentiate between diagnosis by a neurologist or self-diagnosis, the most common diagnoses in the cohort were migraine without aura (38.9%) and migraine with aura (29%). Staying hydrated was the most popular preventative strategy (87%), 70.2% used prescription medication and 64.9% changed their diet and/or supplements. Almost all ( 92.4%) respondents stated that their mood or emotions could trigger their migraine attacks. Keeping a headache or mood diary was the lowest-rated prevention strategy and was rated as "probably ineffective" or causing "no change" in preventing migraine attacks. Over a third (39.7%) kept track of their physical wellbeing and symptoms. Reasons stated for tracking symptoms included to identify triggers (65.8%), show reports to a healthcare professional (59.6%), understand when they must take medication (48.1%), track improvements (67.3%) or deteriorations (67.3%). Conclusions Migraine management is dominated by pharmaceutical management for acute pain attacks and lifestyle changes for managing migraine long-term. Perception of the effectiveness of those techniques is high, whereas perception of interventions that target the emotional or psychological components of chronic pain management (keeping a mood diary, and mental health support) is mixed. There exists a gap between the recommended biopsychosocial approach and the current state of migraine management. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03535-0MigraineSelf-careLifestyle changeLifestyle medicineSelf-managementHeadache |
| spellingShingle | Nicola Filzmoser Iman Webber Gabriele Kerr Aos Alaa Marie Iine El Asmar Manisha Karki Eva Riboli-Sasco Austen El-Osta Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferers BMC Neurology Migraine Self-care Lifestyle change Lifestyle medicine Self-management Headache |
| title | Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferers |
| title_full | Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferers |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferers |
| title_short | Exploring the link between self-management of migraine and emotional wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling migraine sufferers |
| title_sort | exploring the link between self management of migraine and emotional wellbeing a cross sectional study of community dwelling migraine sufferers |
| topic | Migraine Self-care Lifestyle change Lifestyle medicine Self-management Headache |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03535-0 |
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