Children’s headaches and mental health worsened during pandemic

Newswise — WASHINGTON, DC – (August 5, 2022) Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many pediatric patients with headaches have experienced more frequent headaches and worsening anxiety and mood, and a new study finds links to stress, decreased physical activity and increased screen time.

The findings, published in the Journal of Child Neurology, showed that elevated stress associated with disruptions to daily life, social distancing practices, and anxiety about the threat of illness to self and others brought on by the pandemic impacted the quality of life of children with headache. disorders

“These findings are truly shocking to me as a doctor and a parent. It is important that we better understand how stress and changes in routine affect children’s well-being and mood,” says the lead author. Marc DiSabella, DOdirector of the headache program at the National Children’s Hospital. “Things like moving to a virtual environment may have led to feelings of isolation and anxiety in children, and increased screen time may have played a role in more frequent headaches.”

Migraine and other headache disorders are extremely common in adolescents and children. For this study, 107 patients completed a questionnaire from summer 2020 through winter 2021 to examine changes in headache characteristics and lifestyle factors since the start of the pandemic. The survey found:

• Before the pandemic, 60% of patients reported having headaches less than 15 days per month. After the start of the pandemic, that number dropped to 50%.
• Patients reporting constant daily headaches increased from 22% before the pandemic to 36% after the start of the pandemic.
• 49% of patients reported that their headaches had worsened since the start of the pandemic.
• 54% of patients reported that their physical activity levels decreased due to the pandemic.
• When asked about screen use during the pandemic, 61% of patients reported using screens for more than six hours a day.

The study authors note that whether or not increased screen time makes headaches worse has not yet been clearly established; however, patients and families routinely cite screen use as a headache trigger. Lack of physical exercise is also often mentioned as a migraine trigger.

“Having a headache every day, all the time, without interruption, is really frustrating for kids and their parents,” adds Dr. DiSabella. “They just want to be normal kids but they have no control over when the pain increases and suddenly they can’t do simple activities like reading a book or seeing friends, which adds to the uncertainty of their future.”

Participants also reported worsening anxiety, mood, and workload. According to the authors, this is likely to affect headache patients given their high rates of anxiety and depression.

“We already know that patients with headache disorders have disproportionately high rates of mood complaints, including anxious and depressive symptoms,” says Dr. DiSabella. “The fact that our patients reported that this worsened during quarantine is an added stress on their already complex lives, pain management, school and extracurricular activities.”

While the study is limited by sample size and observational design, future population-based studies will better explain the impact of this pandemic on children with headaches. In the meantime, Dr. DiSabella recommends that parents talk to their children about how the pandemic has affected their headaches and mood. He also recommends offering children help, either at home or with a professional trained in child psychology.

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, DC, was established in 1870 to help all children grow stronger. Currently, it is the number 5 children’s hospital in the country. It is ranked number 1 by newborn care for the sixth consecutive year and ranked in all specialties evaluated by US News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The National Children’s Research and Innovation Campus opened its doors in 2021, a one-of-a-kind pediatric center dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for children. Children’s National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet^® hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient network of community-based primary care and specialty care locations in the DC metro area, including Maryland and Virginia. Children’s National is the home of National Children’s Research Institute Y Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. She is recognized for her expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. As a nonprofit organization, Children’s National Hospital relies on generous donors to help ensure that all children receive the care they need.