The presence of aura is not related to changes in the cervical performance and mobility of patients with migraine

Abstract Background: Migraine is related to musculoskeletal impairment of the neck and the chronicity of migraine is related to greater disability levels. However, it is not known if other forms of migraine, such as migraine with aura, is related to a different pattern of neck impairment.Objective: To assess the musculoskeletal and clinical aspects of the neck in patients with migraine with and without aura.Methods: Up to 125 consecutive patients diagnosed with migraine according to the ICHD-III were recruited from a tertiary headache clinic. Patients were classified by the presence of aura into two groups: migraine with aura (MA, n=37) and migraine without aura (MoA, n=88). The self-report of neck pain was assessed and patients completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire. Furthermore, patients performed the Flexion Rotation Test (FRT) and the Cranio-Cervical Flexion Test (CCFT). Results of all outcomes were contrasted between groups through Mann-Whitney and Qui-square tests.Results: There was no association between the presence of aura and self-report of neck pain (x²: 1.32, p=0.25). No differences were verified between groups regarding presence of neck disability (MA: 10.73, SD: 6.22; MoA: 9.63, SD:8.13, p=0.25) or disability severity (x²=6.17, p=0.10). Groups did not differ regarding the FRT (MA: 35.07°, SD: 7.90 and MoA: 34.60°, SD: 8.70, t=-0.22, p=0.83) and there was no association between positive FRT and presence of aura (x²=3.35, p=0.07). The CCFT did not demonstrate differences among the two groups either (x²=1.65, p=0.80).Conclusion: There is no association between migraine aura and presence or disability of neck pain, reduced superior cervical mobility or reduced neck performance. It is expected to find similar neck profile during the clinical assessment of patients with migraine with and without aura.