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MigraineNCT07554664

Central Sensitization, Work-Related Stress, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Desk-Based Workers With and Without Migraine

An observational study of Migraine and Worker Health, run by Bozok University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Migraine is a common neurological disease causing significant disability worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of 14.4%. It represents a significant individual and societal burden, particularly for working-age individuals, as it can significantly impact work performance, productivity, and daily living… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Migraine, Worker Health, Sensitization
How many people
228 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
23 Apr 2026to 1 May 2026
How long will I take part?
1 Day
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Gaziantep City Hospital, Department of Neurology, Gaziantep, Türkiye.

Who may be able to join

  • Being between 18 and 65 years of age
  • Having been employed in an office job for at least 6 months
  • Working at a desk for at least 4 hours a day
  • Being able to read and understand Turkish
  • Agreeing to participate voluntarily
  • For individuals with a migraine diagnosis, having an episodic or chronic migraine diagnosis according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders Edition 3 criteria
  • For individuals without a migraine diagnosis, not having a diagnosis of migraine or other primary headache.

Who cannot join

  • A history of neurological disorder (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis)
  • Inflammatory rheumatic disorders (e.g., Rheumatoid Arthritis)
  • Generalized chronic pain syndromes (e.g., Fibromyalgia)
  • Any other headache disease
  • Any other systemic disease
  • Acute fracture and infection
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Neck or spinal surgery within the last 6 months
  • Serious musculoskeletal trauma within the last 6 months
  • Pregnancy
  • A cognitive or psychiatric condition that would prevent completion of the questionnaires
  • In the control group without a migraine diagnosis, a history of recurrent headaches within the last year.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site

  • Gaziantep City Hospital

    Gaziantep, Merkez

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Central Sensitization, Work-Related Stress, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Desk-Based Workers With and Without Migraine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Migraine is a common neurological disease causing significant disability worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of 14.4%. It represents a significant individual and societal burden, particularly for working-age individuals, as it can significantly impact work performance, productivity, and daily living activities. Migraine is not merely a headache; it is characterized by increased excitability of neurons in the central nervous system, leading to hypersensitivity to pain. Central sensory mechanisms are thought to play a role in the pathophysiology and chronicity of migraine, causing increased pain sensitivity, allodynia, and potentially related to musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, psychosocial factors and work stress have been identified as significant factors associated with both headaches and musculoskeletal pain. Literature indicates that neck pain is common in individuals with migraine headaches; in fact, neck pain is twice as frequent in patients with chronic migraine headaches compared to those with episodic migraine. While evidence regarding back pain is limited, it has been shown that individuals with chronic headaches report back pain more frequently.

In modern work environments, sedentary work and prolonged computer use are increasing. Prolonged sitting, improper ergonomics, and repetitive movements are considered significant risk factors for musculoskeletal problems. This can lead to pain and functional limitations, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. Although there has been an increase in working from home, especially after the pandemic, the time spent at a desk is still similar to that spent in the workplace. It is stated that static muscle activity and improper postures maintained during prolonged computer use can lead to increased strain on cervical and upper extremity muscles, exacerbating musculoskeletal symptoms. Literature reports that headaches and neck pain are common among individuals who work at desks; for example, a study of office workers reported that approximately 80% of individuals with headaches also experienced neck pain. Furthermore, high workload, time pressure, and psychosocial stress factors have been shown to be associated with both headaches and musculoskeletal pain in individuals who work at desks. Therefore, desk-based work conditions are considered a significant environmental factor that may play a role in the onset or exacerbation of migraine and musculoskeletal symptoms. Despite this, studies examining musculoskeletal symptoms, central sensitivity, and work stress together in desk-bound migraine patients are limited in the literature. Most studies have only examined individuals with headaches or evaluated musculoskeletal findings in limited areas. Therefore, studies comparing desk-bound migraine patients with non-migraine-bound desk-bound individuals could fill a significant gap in the literature. In this context, it is believed that the planned study will contribute to a better understanding of the possible relationships between migraine and musculoskeletal symptoms, help develop protective and rehabilitative approaches to the work environment, and benefit individuals exposed to musculoskeletal risks in desk-bound work, within the scope of Sustainable Development Goals 3: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The aim of this study is to compare central sensitization, work-related stress levels, and musculoskeletal symptoms in desk-based workers according to the presence of migraine and to examine the relationships among these variables.

Keywords
Migraine Disorders, Workplace, Musculoskeletal Pain, Rehabilitation, Sensitization, Worker Health, Sustainable Development Goals, Disability, SDG 3
Medical subject headings
Migraine Disorders, Musculoskeletal Pain, Occupational Stress

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Study groups in NCT07554664
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Episodic migraineEpisodic migraine is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent, moderate-to-severe headaches occurring on fewer than 15 days per month. Attacks typically last 4 to 72 hours and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and light/sound sensitivity. Treatment involves acute, on-demand medication and preventative strategies to reduce attack frequency.
Chronic migraineChronic migraine is defined by having 15 or more headache days per month for over three months, with at least eight of those days meeting migraine criteria. Symptoms include moderate-to-severe throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.
Control group without migraine diagnosisIndividuals without a diagnosis of episodic or chronic migraine, as well as individuals without other headache diagnoses.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Central Sensitization Inventory

    The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) measures somatic and emotional symptoms common in central sensitization syndrome. Section A measures 25 symptoms with 5 response options (0 to 4). The total score ranges from 0 to 100. Section B asks patients whether they have previously been diagnosed with preliminary specific CSI conditions

    Measured: Day 1

Secondary outcomes (6)

  1. Headache Intensity

    The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) consists of pain levels where the person indicates the pain they are currently experiencing with a vertical line on a plane. The pain felt by the person is given on a scale of 0-10, "0: no pain", "10: I feel very severe pain".

    Measured: Day 1

  2. Disability

    The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire evaluates the last 3 months of disability and consists of a 5-item self-administered test covering disability at work/school, household chores, family and social or leisure activities. The total number of days missed in these activities is the total score and classifies the disability as minimal disability (0-5 points), mild disability (6-10 points), moderate disability (11-20 points), or severe disability (≥21)

    Measured: Day 1

  3. Work-Related Stress

    The General Work Stress Scale (GWSS) is a 9-item questionnaire that measures how much stress individuals experience in the workplace. It consists of 5 Likert-type items (Never=0, Rarely=1, Sometimes=2, Mostly=3, Always=4). Higher scores indicate increased workplace stress.

    Measured: Day 1

  4. Musculoskeletal Pain Symptoms

    The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMSQ) is a standardized, subjective data collection tool used to identify musculoskeletal disorders and pain in different areas of the body (low back, neck, shoulders, etc.). Individuals are asked whether they have experienced pain/discomfort in the relevant areas in the last 1 year or the last 7 days, usually coded as "Yes/No". The total number of painful areas is determined

    Measured: Day 1

  5. Headache Impact

    The Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) is a questionnaire for headaches that assesses vitality, pain, psychological distress, sociability, role, and cognitive functioning. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (6=never, 8=rarely, 10=sometimes, 11=very often, 13=always). The total score is determined by summing the scores on all six items and ranges from 36 to 78 points. (≤49 = little/no impact, 50-55 = some impact, 56-59 = significant impact, and 60-78 = serious impact).

    Measured: Day 1

  6. Demographic and Clinic Evaluations

    Demographic and clinical information such as sex, age, weight, height, education level, occupation, medical history, family history, number of years diagnosed with migraine (if any), migraine triggers, symptoms experienced during attacks, number of headache days per month, number of headache attacks per month, duration of attacks, localization of headaches, and sitting time at a desk will be recorded for all patients.

    Measured: Day 1

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 Apr 2026
  2. Study start23 Apr 2026
  3. Primary completion1 May 2026
  4. Study completion1 May 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
228 participants (actual)
Target duration
1 Day
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07554664
Sponsor's protocol ID
Approval No: 3/10; 02.04.2026
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
21 Apr 2026
Last updated
1 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided: The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study will be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Publications

  • Martelletti P, de Oliveira AB, Dhamija RK, Francis P, Gouider R, Guekht A, Al-Hasany AH, Houessou MA, Lanteri-Minet M, Leonardi M, Lu-Bolanos M, Pathirage M, Malik A, Mosaddeghi-Heris R, Netravathi M, Ojha R, Owolabi MO, Paudel R, Ray J, Raggi A, Ranta A, Rathnayake N, Reuter U, Sudibyo DA, Tanprawate S, Tao J, Tu Y, Tucker L, Vashchenko N, Waidyasekara J, Wang Y, Woldeamanuel YW, Wijeratne T. Migraine, headache disorders, and brain health: aligning advocacy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. J Headache Pain. 2026 Apr 7;27(1):94. doi: 10.1186/s10194-026-02348-5. No abstract available.

    PubMed 41947032

  • Mohammadian M, Mollahoseini S, Naghibzadeh-Tahami A. Musculoskeletal disorders among office workers: prevalence, ergonomic risk factors, and their interrelationships. Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 26;15(1):45425. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-30155-6.

    PubMed 41298697

  • Magnavita N. Headache in the Workplace: Analysis of Factors Influencing Headaches in Terms of Productivity and Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 21;19(6):3712. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063712.

    PubMed 35329399

  • Li C, Zhang L, Zhou J, Fan Z, Wang Y, Wang X, Wang W, Yu S. Prevalence of primary headache disorders among information technology staff in China: the negative effects of computer use and other correlative factors. BMC Public Health. 2020 Apr 5;20(1):443. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-08497-9.

    PubMed 32248815

  • Cote P, van der Velde G, Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, Hogg-Johnson S, Holm LW, Carragee EJ, Haldeman S, Nordin M, Hurwitz EL, Guzman J, Peloso PM; Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. The burden and determinants of neck pain in workers: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008 Feb 15;33(4 Suppl):S60-74. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181643ee4.

    PubMed 18204402

  • Ernst MJ, Sax N, Meichtry A, Aegerter AM, Luomajoki H, Ludtke K, Gallina A, Falla D; NEXpro collaboration group. Cervical musculoskeletal impairments and pressure pain sensitivity in office workers with headache. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2023 Aug;66:102816. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102816. Epub 2023 Jun 26.

    PubMed 37394322

  • Marchenko M, Domingues L, Barbero M, Cescon C, Falla D, Ernst MJ; NEXpro collaboration group. Headache, not neck pain, primarily influences the extent of pain in the neck region in symptomatic office workers. Cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluations. Physiother Theory Pract. 2026 May;42(5):689-699. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2596179. Epub 2025 Dec 12.

    PubMed 41384674

  • Janwantanakul P, Pensri P, Jiamjarasrangsri V, Sinsongsook T. Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. Occup Med (Lond). 2008 Sep;58(6):436-8. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqn072. Epub 2008 Jun 10.

    PubMed 18544589

  • Lee S, DE Barros FC, DE Castro CSM, DE Oliveira Sato T. Effect of an ergonomic intervention involving workstation adjustments on musculoskeletal pain in office workers-a randomized controlled clinical trial. Ind Health. 2021 Mar 24;59(2):78-85. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.2020-0188. Epub 2020 Nov 28.

    PubMed 33250456

  • Darivemula SB, Goswami K, Gupta SK, Salve H, Singh U, Goswami AK. Work-related Neck Pain Among Desk Job Workers of Tertiary Care Hospital in New Delhi, India: Burden and Determinants. Indian J Community Med. 2016 Jan-Mar;41(1):50-4. doi: 10.4103/0970-0218.170967.

    PubMed 26917874

  • Hwang UJ, Han J, Kwon OY, Chu YS, Yang S. Classifying office workers with and without cervicogenic headache or neck and shoulder pain using posture-based deep learning models: a multicenter retrospective study. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2025 Jul 7;6:1614143. doi: 10.3389/fpain.2025.1614143. eCollection 2025.

    PubMed 40692757

  • Waersted M, Hanvold TN, Veiersted KB. Computer work and musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremity: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Apr 29;11:79. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-11-79.

    PubMed 20429925

  • Houle M, Ducas J, Lardon A, Descarreaux M, Marchand AA, Abboud J. Headache-related clinical features in teleworkers and their association with coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health. 2023 Dec 28;11:1303394. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1303394. eCollection 2023.

    PubMed 38213645

  • Mayma-Aguirre KJ, Burgos-Flores MA, Sabastizagal-Vela IL, Astete-Cornejo JM. Working and health conditions in teleworkers in mandatory social isolation due to COVID-19: exploratory survey in Lima and Callao. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2024 Nov 14;22(3):e20231139. doi: 10.47626/1679-4435-2023-1139. eCollection 2024 Jul-Sep.

    PubMed 39606752

  • Alaca N, Acar AO, Ozturk S. Low back pain and sitting time, posture and behavior in office workers: A scoping review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2025 Sep;38(5):919-943. doi: 10.1177/10538127251320320. Epub 2025 Mar 20.

    PubMed 40111906

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Migraine and Worker Health, run by Bozok University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Central Sensitization Inventory (time frame: Day 1). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07554664, which also lists 23 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Oct 2026.

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