Postural stability and dizziness symptoms in patients with migraine without aura
Abstract
Aims: This study aims to assess postural stability and dizziness symptoms in individuals diagnosed with migraine without aura.
Methods: The study group comprised 30 adult participants diagnosed with migraine, whereas the control group consisted of 30 adults without a migraine diagnosis. Participants’ migraine characteristics were assessed, and the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) along with the 24-hour Migraine Quality of Life Questionnaire (24-h MQoLQ scores) were administered. Participants’ balance abilities were evaluated under four different conditions using a static force platform. In addition, the severity of psychometric dizziness was assessed with the Visual Dizziness Inventory–Symptom Severity (VDI-SS), and fall frequency was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale.
Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in mediolateral and anteroposterior postural sway in conditions I, II, III, and IV (p>0.05). The migraine group had significantly worse VDI-SS scores compared to the control group (p<0.001). In addition, patients in the migraine group reported a higher frequency of falls in the past year (p=0.001). Fall frequency was positively correlated with migraine duration (r= 0.3, p=0.021) and attack frequency (r=0.4, p<0.001) but negatively correlated with 24-h MQoLQ scores (r=-0.6, p<0.001). VDI-SS scores were negatively correlated with migraine duration (r = –0.4, p = 0.001), attack frequency (r=-0.6, p<0.001), and MIDAS (r=-0.4, p=0.018), while they showed a positive correlation with 24-h MQoLQ (r=0.6, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Migraine without aura did not impair static postural stability but was associated with greater subjective dizziness, highlighting the need to assess both subjective symptoms and objective balance measures.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
March 12, 2026
Submission Date
August 30, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 2, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 1