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February 19, 2026Disability and Rehabilitation0 citationsOpen Access

Association between psychological factors and headache burden in patients with migraine and tension-type headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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CTCornel H. M. TolHMHedwig A. van der MeerAWA. van der Wal

Key Points

  • This review aims to investigate the relationship between psychological factors and headache burden in individuals with migraine and tension-type headaches.
  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies on headache burden and psychological factors.
  • Assessment of the impact of depression, anxiety, fear of pain, and self-efficacy on headache outcomes.
  • Evaluation of psychosocial assessment integration in headache management.
  • Depression, anxiety, fear of pain, and self-efficacy significantly correlate with headache frequency and intensity.
  • Incorporating psychosocial assessments can enhance clinical reasoning in headache management.
  • There is a call for targeted interventions based on psychosocial profiling for improved rehabilitation outcomes.

Abstract

This review highlights the relevance of depression, anxiety, fear of pain, and self-efficacy in relation to headache burden in migraine and TTH. Incorporating psychosocial assessment into headache care may improve clinical reasoning and management. Further research should explore targeted interventions tailored to psychosocial profiles. Implications for rehabilitationPsychosocial factors, including depression, anxiety, fear of pain, and self-efficacy, are meaningfully associated with headache frequency, intensity, and disability in people with migraine and tension-type headache.Routine screening for these psychosocial factors may support more comprehensive assessment and clinical reasoning in rehabilitation settings.Rehabilitation professionals, including physiotherapists, rehabilitation physicians, neurologists, general practitioners, psychologists, and other healthcare providers involved in headache management, should consider adopting a biopsychosocial approach to address these psychosocial contributors within multidisciplinary headache care.

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Cite This Study

Tol et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6996a7c3ecb39a600b3edc05https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2026.2621641
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