A study conducted by the Wake Forest School of Medicine aimed to investigate the correlation between sleep duration, stress, and headache pain among patients with chronic headaches. Sleep duration and stress have been predictors of episodic headaches for some time now. However, evidence is inconsistent in patients with chronic headaches. After analyzing data from a 28 day study, they found that two consecutive days of either high stress or low sleep were strongly predictive of headache, whereas 2 days of low stress or adequate sleep were protective. Dr. Stan Farrell has extensive training and is passionate about alleviating the pain caused by stress and sleep duration. If you or someone you know suffers from stress, chronic headaches, and or poor sleeping habits, please call and schedule a consultation today with Dr. Farrell @ 480-945-3629. www.headpaininstitute.com
Houle TT, Butschek RA, Turner DP, Smitherman TA, Rains JC, Penzien DB.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the time-series relationships between stress, sleep duration, and headache pain among patients with chronic headaches. Sleep and stress have long been recognized as potential triggers of episodic headache (<15 headache days/month), though prospective evidence is inconsistent and absent in patients diagnosed with chronic headaches (≥15 days/month). We reanalyzed data from a 28-day observational study of chronic migraine (n=33) and chronic tension-type headache (n=22) sufferers. Patients completed the Daily Stress Inventory and recorded headache and sleep variables using a daily sleep/headache diary. Stress ratings, duration of previous nights’ sleep, and headache severity were modeled using a series of linear mixed models with random effects to account for individual differences in observed associations. Models were displayed using contour plots. Two consecutive days of either high stress or low sleep were strongly predictive of headache, whereas 2 days of low stress or adequate sleep were protective. When patterns of stress or sleep were divergent across days, headache risk was increased only when the earlier day was characterized by high stress or poor sleep. As predicted, headache activity in the combined model was highest when high stress and low sleep occurred concurrently during the prior 2 days, denoting an additive effect. Future research is needed to expand on current findings among chronic headache patients and to develop individualized models that account for multiple simultaneous influences of headache trigger factors.
