The Relationship Between Internet and Social Media Addiction And Migraine Disability In Adults With Migraine
Öz
Background: Migraine is a chronic headache disorder involving neurovascular hyperexcitability and trigeminovascular sensitization, leading to functional impairment. With digital technologies now pervasive, excessive internet and social media use may contribute to migraine burden. This study examined the relationship between internet and social media addiction, screen exposure, and migraine-related disability in adults.
Methods: Eighty-two adults aged 18–65 years with a diagnosis of migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) and without significant neurological or severe psychiatric comorbidities were included. Sociodemographic data, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), the Young Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), and the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) were administered. Average daily smartphone screen time over the past seven days was recorded. Spearman correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression models were used for the analyses.
Results: Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between MIDAS and both YIAS (ρ = 0.458) and SMAS (ρ = 0.541), with SMAS showing the stronger relationship. Average daily screen time was also correlated with MIDAS (ρ = 0.345). In multivariable models, YIAS and screen time remained independently associated with MIDAS when included together. However, when SMAS was entered alongside screen time, only SMAS remained significant (β = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.18–0.47). Likewise, in the model including both SMAS and YIAS, SMAS remained an independent predictor (β = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20–0.66), whereas YIAS lost significance (β = –0.21; 95% CI: –0.79 to 0.37).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that migraine burden may be more closely related to social interaction–based digital exposure than to overall internet use. Social media–related behaviors could be a potential target for intervention, although prospective studies are needed to confirm this.
Anahtar Kelimeler
migraine, social media, internet addiction, addictive behavior
Destekleyen Kurum
Bu araştırma kapsamında herhangi bir kamu kurumu, özel sektör ya da kâr amacı gütmeyen bir kuruluş tarafından mali destek alınmamıştır.
Etik Beyan
Bu çalışma, Helsinki Bildirgesi’nde belirtilen ilkelere uygun olarak yürütülmüştür. Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Yenimahalle Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır (Karar No: 2025-22). Tüm katılımcılardan yazılı bilgilendirilmiş onam alınmıştır.
Teşekkür
Çalışmamıza katılan tüm hastalara teşekkürlerimizi sunarız.
Kaynakça
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