Headache Medicine 2026 - Supplement - Association between vestibular symptoms and headache attacks after visual self-motion stimulation in individuals with migraine

Sep 8, 2026

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Migraine is linked to altered sensory processing, including increased sensitivity to visual stimuli, and visual self-motion stimulation may provoke vestibular symptoms and brain hyperactivity involved in visual and pain pathways. A cross-sectional study assessed 52 migraine participants after a 5-minute first-person roller coaster simulation, examining dizziness/nausea and subsequent migraine attacks two days later. Results showed dizziness/nausea (25%) and migraine attacks (21%), with a significant association between vestibular symptoms and headache attacks (p=0.011; OR=5.83).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Reading Time3 min

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Introduction

Objective

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Headache Medicine Headache Medicine 2026, Supplement p-ISSN 2178-7468, e-ISSN 2763-6178 ID: 124 Association between vestibular symptoms and headache attacks after visual self-motion stimulation in individuals with migraine Maria Laura Piotto Gonçalves, Felipe Daniel Sambini, Carina Ferreira Pinheiro-Araújo, Débora Bevilaqua-Grossi University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil Maria Laura Piotto Gonçalves [mlaurapiottogoncalves@usp.br](mlaurapiottogoncalves@usp.br) Keywords: Migraine Vestibular symptoms Visual stimulation Introduction Migraine is a complex neurological disorder associated with alterations in sensory processing, including increased sensitivity to visual stimuli. Evidence suggests that visual self-motion stimulation may trigger vestibular symptoms and cerebral hyperactivity in regions related to visual and pain processing, which could facilitate the onset of a migraine attack. However, it remains unclear whether the occurrence of vestibular symptoms is associated with the onset of headache attacks following this type of stimulus. Objective To investigate the occurrence of vestibular symptoms and migraine attacks after visual self-motion stimulation and to analyze the association between these outcomes in individuals with migraine. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 52 individuals of both sexes, aged 18 to 55 years, diagnosed with migraine according to the 3rd International Classification of Headache Disorders, and reporting at least 3 headache days in the previous month. Participants watched a 5-minute first-person roller coaster simulation video with changes in direction and acceleration. Two days after exposure, participants were asked about the occurrence of migraine attacks and vestibular symptoms (dizziness/nausea). The association between outcomes was analyzed using a contingency table and the chi-square test ( ²), and the magnitude of the association was estimated using the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results Within the two days following video exposure, 25% of participants reported dizziness/nausea and 21% experienced a migraine attack. A significant association was observed between vestibular symptoms and the occurrence of migraine attacks ( ²=6 . 50; p=0 .011). The odds ratio showed that, after watching the video, the occurrence of migraine attacks was higher among participants who reported vestibular symptoms (OR=5 . 83; 95% CI=1.38–24. 6). Conclusion In individuals with migraine exposed to visual self-motion stimulation, the occurrence of vestibular symptoms is associated with the occurrence of migraine attacks. These findings suggest that individuals who are more sensitive to this type of visual stimulus may also present greater susceptibility to developing migraine attacks after exposure. | © Copyright 2025
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FAQs

What was the main objective of the study?

To investigate whether vestibular symptoms and migraine attacks occur after visual self-motion stimulation and to analyze how strongly these outcomes are associated in individuals with migraine.

How was the visual self-motion stimulation performed and when were symptoms assessed?

Participants watched a 5-minute first-person roller coaster simulation with changes in direction and acceleration, and two days after exposure they reported migraine attacks and vestibular symptoms (dizziness/nausea).

What were the key findings about the relationship between vestibular symptoms and migraine attacks?

Within two days, 25% reported dizziness/nausea and 21% experienced a migraine attack. A significant association was found between vestibular symptoms and migraine attacks (p=0.011; OR=5.83).

What does the conclusion suggest about susceptibility to migraine after visual stimulus?

The findings suggest that people with migraine who are more sensitive to this type of visual stimulus may have greater susceptibility to developing migraine attacks after exposure.

Sep 8, 2026

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