Effect of physical activity level on pain, functionality, and quality of life in migraine patients

Gamze Sağlı Diren1, Pınar Kaya Ciddi2, Gizem Ergezen2, Mustafa Şahin3

1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, İstanbul Medipol University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, İstanbul Medipol University, Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye
3Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye

Keywords: Disability, migraine, pain, physical activity, quality of life.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the physical activity (PA) level of individuals with migraine and examine its effects on pain intensity (PI), disability, and quality of life (QoL).
Methods: Individuals diagnosed with migraine between the ages of 18 and 55 were included in the study. PA levels are assessed by the International PA Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), PI with the McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire, disability with the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), and QoL with the World Health Organization QoL Scale Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF).
Results: A total of 88 individuals, with a mean age of 34.11±10.51 years, were included in the study; 53.41% were low active (LA), 30.68% were moderate active (MA), and 15.91% were high active (HA). The physical health of LAs (p=0.047) was lower than that of MAs. General (p<0.001), physical (p<0.001), and psychological (p=0.003) health scores were lower than HAs. LAs had a higher disability (p=0.042) and PI (p=0.001) than HAs. There was a weak negative correlation between PA and PI (p=0.001) and disability (p=0.005), and a weak positive correlation between PA levels and social (p=0.007) and environmental (p=0.013) scores, and moderate positive correlations with physical (p=0.000), general (p=0.000), and psychological (p=0.000) scores.
Conclusion: It was observed that as PA levels increased, PI decreased, and functionality and QoL increased in patients with migraine. Ensuring exercise continuity seems to be effective for improving the negative effects of migraine.