Cognitive Impairment Associated with Mild to Moderate Migraine Episodes: Possible Effects on Workplace Attendance - Report - MDSpire

Cognitive Impairment Associated with Mild to Moderate Migraine Episodes: Possible Effects on Workplace Attendance

  • By

  • Yoji Yamaguchi

  • Masaaki Kohta

  • Kenji Ishikawa

  • Yasuo Naito

  • Michio Yamaguchi

  • Yusuke Ikeuchi

  • Hiroyasu Shose

  • Kazuhiro Tanaka

  • Atsushi Fujita

  • Takashi Sasayama

  • March 4, 2026

  • 0 min

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Cognitive Impairment Associated with Mild to Moderate Migraine Episodes

Overview

This study investigates the cognitive impairment associated with mild to moderate migraine episodes and its impact on workplace attendance. Findings indicate that cognitive function is significantly affected during these episodes, leading to reduced productivity among affected individuals.

Background

Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting approximately 11.6% of the global population, leading to substantial socio-economic consequences. The condition is associated with cognitive impairment, which can exacerbate issues related to workplace productivity and presenteeism. Understanding the cognitive effects of mild to moderate migraine episodes is crucial for developing effective management strategies.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the provided text.

Key Findings

  • Migraine affects cognitive function, particularly during headache attacks.
  • 28%–39% of migraine patients report reduced productivity at work or school due to headaches.
  • 80% of migraine patients experience associated symptoms that further impair productivity.
  • Patients with mild to moderate headaches can still attend work but may struggle with cognitive tasks.
  • Severe headache attacks were excluded from cognitive assessments to focus on presenteeism.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the cognitive impacts of mild to moderate migraine episodes on patients' work performance. Effective management of migraine symptoms may improve cognitive function and productivity in the workplace.

Conclusion

The study highlights the significant cognitive impairment associated with mild to moderate migraine episodes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance workplace productivity among affected individuals.

References

  1. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- The relationship between cognitive impairment and acoustic features in major depressive disorder: a longitudinal cohort study
  2. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Utilizing resting motor threshold to predict cognitive function in drug-naive patients with major depressive disorder
  3. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Can symptom-severity phenotypes identify depression risk after mild traumatic brain injury? A cluster-based approach
  4. Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of migraine, summary version
  5. Migraine and cognitive dysfunction: a narrative review | The Journal of Headache and Pain | Full Text
  6. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Long-term occupational outcomes in major depressive disorder: a 10-year follow-up study of symptom and comorbidity predictors
  7. Migraine in the workplace: Work productivity impact in a large US-based healthcare system using a cross-sectional employee survey
  8. Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of migraine, summary version
  9. Migraine and cognitive dysfunction: a narrative review | The Journal of Headache and Pain | Full Text

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