Migraine is Associated With Altered Mechanical Pain Sensitivity. This Study Investigates Mechanical Pain Sensitivity, Headache Burden, and Quality of Life in Episodic and Chronic Migraine, Comparing Pressure Algometry and Algopeg® and Assessing Mechanosensitivity of Peripheral Nerves. (MechSens_Migra)

Mechanical Pain Sensitivity, Headache Burden, and Quality of Life in Episodic and Chronic Migraine - A Cross-Sectional Study

Migraine is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders and is associated with a substantial individual and societal burden. In chronic migraine, central and peripheral sensitization mechanisms are considered key pathophysiological factors and may manifest, among other features, as altered mechanical pain sensitivity.

Quantitative assessment of mechanical pain sensitivity using pressure algometry is an established method; however, it is partly dependent on examiner technique and measurement protocols. The Algopeg® represents a standardized instrument for assessing mechanical pain sensitivity and may serve as a practical complement or alternative to classical pressure algometry. To date, evidence regarding the use of the Algopeg® in migraine populations remains limited.

In addition to increased mechanosensitivity in trigeminal and extra-trigeminal regions, peripheral nerve structures, such as branches of the greater occipital nerve and the supraorbital nerve, may show sensitivity to mechanical stimuli during neurodynamic testing or palpation. This may have clinical relevance, as these regions are often targeted in symptomatic and prophylactic treatments.

The aim of this study is to systematically investigate mechanical pain sensitivity, headache-related outcomes, and quality of life in patients with episodic and chronic migraine. Furthermore, the study aims to compare pressure algometry and Algopeg® measurements and to explore the clinical relevance of mechanosensitivity in specific peripheral nerve regions using a standardized assessment protocol.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Migraine
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: pressure pain algometry

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 102

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Bernhard Taxer, PhD; Phone Number: +436508108217; Email: b.taxer@crcs.at

Study Locations

• Austria
  • Salzburg, Austria, 5020
    • Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, neurologische Intensivmedizin und Neurorehabilitation
    • Contact: Bernhard Taxer, PhD; Phone Number: +436508108217; Email: b.taxer@crcs.at

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

patients with episodic or chronic migraine

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female and male sex
• Age 18-65 years
• Diagnosis of episodic or chronic migraine according to ICHD-3 criteria (beta version)
• Stable medication regimen (if applicable) for at least 4 weeks prior to inclusion
• Ability to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other primary or secondary headache disorders
• Severe neurological, psychiatric, or systemic diseases
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Participation in another (interventional) study within the last 3 months

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pressure Pain Algometry and neurodynamic testing for mechanical hypersensitivity	Pressure pain algometry, a psychophysic approach used in quantitatitve sensory testing, is a tool, that can be used to evaluate mechanosensitivity of affected muscles (pressure pain threshold - measured in kg). We use the classical tool out of QST and compare it with the Algopeg® tool, a calibrated clothespin, not used in regular clinical work so far. The tool is applied on the index finger for 10 seconds measuring the resulting painful feeling on a numeric rating scale (NRS 0-10). Neurodynamic testing includes movement maneuvers to assess the mechanosensitivity of the soft tissue of peripheral nerves, explicitly greater occipital nerve and the supraorbital nerve (V1). Here the outcome mainly relies on the feedback of the participants.	Regarding the observational character of the study the participants are screened in one session expecting a total time frame of 15 minutes on day 1.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bernhard Taxer
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Stefan Leis, PD Dr.med., Paracelsus Medical University for Neurology - Christian-Doppler-Klinik Salzburg

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 17, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 24, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 30, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 24, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Headache Disorders, Primary; Headache Disorders; Migraine Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1063/2026 Migraine_MechSens

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO