Headache Disorders Prevalent Among University Students
A significant proportion of university students suffer from headaches, with 44% of participants in a recent study experiencing headaches. This is concerning, as headache disorders are ranked among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide. Researchers at the University of Tunku Abdul Rahman investigated the relationship between headaches and physical activity levels, as well as dynamic balance, among university students.
Key Takeaways:
- The prevalence of headaches among university students is 44%, with 208 out of 471 participants experiencing headaches.
- The study used a digital screening questionnaire to obtain demographic data and screen participants, with a 96.9% response rate.
- Spearman correlation analysis indicated a very weak to weak correlation between headache severity and physical activity levels.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between headache severity and cognitive dual-task balance performance.
- Headache severity was not significantly correlated with single-task dynamic balance or manual dual-task balance.
- Impaired balance under cognitive dual-task conditions was significantly associated with headache severity, indicating a potential impact on motor-cognitive integration.
Statistics:
- 44% of university students in the study experienced headaches (n = 208 out of 471 participants).
- Spearman correlation analysis indicated a very weak to weak correlation between headache severity and physical activity levels (r = 0.064, p > 0.05).
- A significant positive correlation was observed between headache severity and cognitive dual-task balance performance (r = 0.292, p < 0.05).
- 96.9% of participants responded to the study.
Sources:
- AIMS Neuroscience, 2025;12(3):406-417
- NewsRx. Recent Findings from University of Tunku Abdul Rahman Advance Knowledge in Headache (Impact of headache on physical activity levels and dynamic balance among university students). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 4451.