Cervical strengthening and stabilization exercises in migraine management: A systematic review.

Patients with migraines often receive referrals for physical therapy, especially with neck pain. Cervical strengthening and stabilization exercises are commonly suggested for these patients. However, the evidence supporting these exercises is unclear. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of cervical-focused exercises for migraine management. Researchers systematically searched nine medical databases to find relevant studies. These studies included individuals aged 14 years and older with migraines. Twelve studies met the criteria, including five randomized controlled trials and three observational studies. The meta-analysis showed a moderate improvement in migraine-related disability at 1.18%. However, improvements in headache frequency and intensity were not statistically significant. Observational studies noted improvements within groups. Conclusions suggest that while cervical exercises might help reduce migraine-related disability, evidence remains insufficient for clear prevention benefits. Future studies should focus on well-designed, multicenter trials to provide more reliable conclusions. Clinical relevance: This research indicates that cervical strengthening exercises may help reduce migraine-related disability for patients.