Citations

Abstract Objectives To capture patients' perspectives on migraine‐related cognitive symptoms during pre‐headache, headache, post‐headache, and interictal periods. Background Migraine‐related cognitive symptoms are reported by people with migraine both during and between attacks. Associated with disability, they are increasingly viewed as a priority target for treatment. The Migraine Clinical Outcome Assessment System (MiCOAS) project is focused on developing a patient‐centered core set of outcome measures for the evaluation of migraine treatments. The project focuses on incorporating the experience of people living with migraine and the outcomes most meaningful to them. This includes an examination of the presence and functional impact of migraine‐related cognitive symptoms and their perceived impact on quality of life and disability. Methods Forty individuals with self‐reported medically diagnosed migraine were recruited via iterative purposeful sampling for semi‐structured qualitative interviews conducted using audio‐only web conferencing. Thematic content analysis was performed to identify key concepts around migraine‐related cognitive symptoms. Recruitment continued until concept saturation was achieved. Results Participants described symptoms consistent with migraine‐related deficits in language/speech, sustained attention, executive function, and memory that manifest during pre‐headache (36/40 [90%] reported ≥1 cognitive feature), headache (35/40 [88%] reported ≥1 cognitive feature), post‐headache (27/40 [68%] reported ≥1 cognitive feature), and interictal periods (13/40 [33%] reported ≥1 cognitive feature). Among participants reporting cognitive symptoms during pre‐headache, 32/40 (81%) endorsed 2–5 cognitive symptoms. Findings were similar during the headache phase. Participants reported language/speech problems consistent with, for example, impairments in receptive language, expressive language, and articulation. Issues with sustained attention included fogginess, confusion/disorientation, and trouble with concentration/focus. Deficits in executive function included difficulty processing information and reduced capacity for planning and decision‐making. Memory issues were reported across all phases of the migraine attack. Conclusions This patient‐level qualitative study suggests that cognitive symptoms are common for persons with migraine, particularly in the pre‐headache and headache phases. These findings highlight the importance of assessing and ameliorating these cognitive problems.

In 1995, a committee of the International Headache Society developed and published the first edition of the Guidelines for Controlled Trials of Drugs in Cluster Headache. These have not been revised. With the emergence of new medications, neuromodulation devices and trial designs, an updated version of the International Headache Society Guidelines for Controlled Clinical Trials in Cluster Headache is warranted. Given the scarcity of evidence-based data for cluster headache therapies, the update is largely consensus-based, but takes into account lessons learned from recent trials and demands by patients. It is intended to apply to both drug and neuromodulation treatments, with specific proposals for the latter when needed. The primary objective is to propose a template for designing high quality, state-of-the-art, controlled clinical trials of acute and preventive treatments in episodic and chronic cluster headache. The recommendations should not be regarded as dogma and alternative solutions to particular methodological problems should be explored in the future and scientifically validated.