Abstract

Stress-induced tension-type headache (STH) is one of the most common types of headaches. They can be brought on- or triggered by stress and muscle strain. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with STH have abnormalities of postural control, and to disclose any frequency shift of the centre of gravity while standing upright. Thirty patients with STH diagnosed by the International Headache Society Classification criteria and with tenderness in pericranial muscles were compared with age and sex matched controls. The questionnaires for stress amount were asked to both groups. All the subjects underwent balance measurements that included vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing, static and computerized dynamic posturography. Stress amount were significantly increased in the patient group. STH patients had reduced VEMP amplitudes compared to the controls. The spectral frequency analysis of body sway while standing upright was investigated. The sway distance and the sway area of center of foot pressure significantly increased in the patients with STH. Spectral frequency analysis showed a significant increase in spectral power below 1.00Hz frequency band. Computerized dynamic posturography showed decreased somatosensory ratio in the patients with STH. These findings suggest that stress may induce abnormal vestibulo-collic reflex and a significant proprioceptive disturbance in tension headache patients. (Korean J Str Res 2011;19:303∼313)

• Keywords: Stress, Tension-type headache, Posture