Morphological and mechanical properties of cervical muscles in fibromyalgia with migraine: A case-control study

Background

The precise manner in which morphological and mechanical properties of cervical muscles in patients with fibromyalgia and migraine are affected remains unclear.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the morphological and mechanical properties of cervical muscles in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia who also experience migraine headaches with those who do not.

Methods

The study included two groups of fibromyalgia patients: one with migraine (n = 18, age = 44.7 ± 7.5 years, body mass index = 28.7 ± 6.9 kg/m²) and one without migraine (n = 21, age = 42.6 ± 9.5 years, body mass index = 25.1 ± 4.4 kg/m²). Body pain intensity related to fibromyalgia and migraine attack severity were evaluated with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The cervical muscle morphological and mechanical properties, including thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA), and stiffness, were measured using ultrasound imaging.

Results

It was found that there was a greater decrease in longus colli muscle CSA scores (p = 0.004) and a greater increase in upper trapezius muscle stiffness scores (p = 0.013) in the fibromyalgia + migraine group compared to the fibromyalgia group. No statistically significant differences were observed in trapezius muscle thickness (p = 0.261), sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness (p = 0.874), multifidus CSA (p = 0.963), or sternocleidomastoid muscle stiffness (p = 0.642) between the two groups.

Conclusion

Patients with fibromyalgia and migraine exhibited diminished longus colli muscle CSA and heightened upper trapezius muscle stiffness compared to those with fibromyalgia but no migraine. It should be considered that migraine comorbidity in fibromyalgia may negatively affect cervical muscle morphological and mechanical properties.