The aim of this study was to investigate neck pain-related disability and cervical range of motion (CROM) in patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) and to examine the correlation of both outcomes. This cross-sectional study was comprised of 91 patients with EM and 34 with CM. Cervical range of motion was measured with the CROM device, and pain during the cervical movement was recorded. Self-reported disability related to neck pain was assessed with the Neck Disability Index. Patients with CM showed higher Neck Disability Index scores and more moderate and severe disability (P = .01). Severe disability as a result of neck pain was related to 7.6-fold risk of developing CM (P = .003). No significant differences in CROM were found between groups. Moderate negative correlations between CROM and disability were found for 4 motions within the CM group (-0.60 <r < -0.39) and with 3 in the EM group (-0.48 < -0.45). Disability was positively and moderately correlated to pain evoked during CROM in both groups (0.34 <r <0.51).
This study found that neck pain was highly prevalent in patients with migraine. Neck pain-related disability increased with greater frequency of the migraine attacks and was associated with the risk of migraine chronicity. The correlation between CROM and neck pain disability was more evident in individuals with CM and in patients with pain during cervical movement.