Study results:

• On average, each of the participants completed 84% of the 42 assessments.
• Headaches or Migraines occurred during 41% of the assessments.
• Of the weather variables tested (as listed above), two weather variables were significantly predictive of a new Migraine or headache occurring:
  • increased relative humidity
  • precipitation
• Other weather variables were not significantly predictive of a new Migraine or headache occurring:
  • temperature,
  • dew point temperature,
  • barometric pressure, and
  • sunlight.

Study conclusions:

"Results of the present study lend some support to the belief commonly held by children with recurrent headaches that weather changes may contribute to headache onset. Although electronic momentary assessment methodology was found to be feasible in this population and to have the potential to identify specific headache triggers for children, it remains to be determined how best (or even whether) to incorporate this information into treatment recommendations."¹

Summary and comments:

This study presents interesting results. However, I'm not convinced of the reliability of children as young as eight-years-old self-reporting.  This was also a very small study group of only 24 participants. That's not to dismiss this study at all. Information such as this is necessary before proceeding to larger studies.

Certainly, even a study this small does serve to begin validation of children's beliefs that some weather variables are indeed Migraine triggers.

This study is a great beginning, and it will be interesting to see the results of subsequent studies.

____________
Resources:

¹ Connelly, Mark, PhD; Miller, Todd, BA; Gerry, Gerry, MD; Bickel, Jennifer, MD. "Electronic Momentary Assessment of Weather Changes as a Trigger of Headache in Children." Headache, 2009. Published online in advance. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2009.01586.x.

² Staff reporter. "It's true: Humidity, rain linked to kids' headaches." Reuters Health. New York. January 22, 2010.
             

Medical review by John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD

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© Teri Robert, 2009. Last updated February 1, 2010.