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The Journal of Headache and Pain
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Migraine | Review article

On the utility of the trail making test in migraine with and without aura: a meta-analysis

Author: Antonino Vallesi

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

This meta-analytical review assesses the utility of the Trail Making Test (TMT), versions A and B, in detecting migraine-related cognitive deficits. A comprehensive literature search was performed in two electronic databases and other sources to obtain relevant studies administering TMT to migraine patients. Search terms included “migraine” and “Trail Making”. Only studies in which the TMT-A, TMT-B or both were administered to adult patients suffering from migraine with and without aura were included. All pooled meta-analyses were based on random effects models. A total of 14 studies for TMT-A and 15 for TMT-B met inclusion criteria and were subjected to meta-analyses. Results showed that performance is worse in migraine patients than in controls for both the TMT-A (Hedges’ g = −.28) and TMT-B (g = −.37), with no difference between migraine with and without aura. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the TMT in detecting cognitive alterations in migraine. This test should be considered for inclusion in cognitive batteries assessing patients with migraine.
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Metadata
Title
On the utility of the trail making test in migraine with and without aura: a meta-analysis
Author
Antonino Vallesi
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Milan
Keywords
Migraine
Aura
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-020-01137-y

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